THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  ILLINOIS 


LIBRARY 

973,74 
146  L 
75d 


HISTORICAL  SURVEY 


A   WAIF 


OF 


THE    WAE; 

OB,  THE 

of  the  <^wnfg-  Jtfth  JUinoia  Jnfanirg, 


EMBRACING 


THE  ENTIRE   CAMPAIGNS 

OF  THE 

ARMY    OF   THE    CUMBERLAND. 

BY 

WM.    SUMNER    DODGE, 

AUTHOR  OP  "CHRONICLES  OP  THE  ARMY  OP  THE  CUMBERLAND;  OR,  HISTORY 
OF  THE  OLD  SECOND  DIVISION." 


Here  the  free  spirit  of  mankind,  at  length 

Throws  its  last  fetters  off;  and  who  shall  place 

A  limit  to  the  giant's  unchained  strength, 
Or  curb  his  swiftness  in  the  forward  race  ? 

BRYANT  :     The  Ages. 

From  a  conservative  and  progressive  republic — The  only  one  durable,  the  only  one  pos- 
sible— May  the  unseen  hand  cause  to  bloom  forth  what  is  germinant  in  this  kind  of  institution 
— The  morality  of  the  people  and  the  reign  of  God. — LAMARTINB  :  History  of  tfie  French 
Revolution. 


CHICAGO: 

CHURCH    AND    GOODMAN,    PUBLISHERS, 

51  LA  SALLE  STREET. 

I860. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 

WILLIAM    SUMNER    DODGE, 
In  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois. 


CHURCH,  GOODMAN  AND  DONNELLEY,  PRINTERS. 


PREFACE. 


By  request  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS,  who,  upon  the  expiration  of  their 
term  of  service,  partially  raised  the  amount  necessary  to  write 
out  its  history,  I  undertake  the  task.  How  well  it  is  accom- 
plished, remains  with  them  to  say.  Illinois  has  sustained  a 
proud  record  in  the  late  war  for  the  Union ;  and  among  the  hun- 
dreds of  regiments  she  has  sent  into  the  field,  none  have  reflected 
greater  credit  upon  her  name  than  this.  I  have  aimed  to  re- 
count its  marches  and  battles  in  such  a  manner  as  to  do  the  com- 
mand justice  ;  and  while  doing  this,  have  presented  the  outlines 
of  campaigns,  and  the  actions  of  the  corps,  division  and  brigade 
under  which  it  acted  a  subordinate  part.  I  have  also  given  a 
sketch  of  other  commands  when  acting  in  unison  with  it.  To  do 
this  clearly  has  involved  the  labor  of  collating  and  examining  a 
large  mass  of  documents,  apart  from  those  necessary  to  strict 
regimental  details.  Three  years  of  service  in  another  division 
of  the  same  army  gives  me,  perhaps,  some  claim  to  an  under- 
standing of  army  operations,  and  also  frees  me  from  that  bias 
which  might  attach  to  a  writer  who  himself  belonged  to  the  regi- 
ment. 

It  is  but  justice  to  the  brave  men  who  have  served  so  faith- 
fully through  our  country's  peril,  that  their  services  be  recorded. 
For  myself,  I  will  state  that,  appreciating  the  desire  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  for  such  a  memorial,  I  have,  without 

compensation,  given  my  time  in  its  preparation.     If  it  meets  the 

s 


497207 


IV.  PEEFACE. 

approval  of  those  interested,  I  have  my  reward.  It  has  not  been 
my  intention  to  over-praise  any,  or  to  disparage  any.  In  this 
matter,  the  official  record  has  been  my  guide.  Circumstances 
beyond  my  control  have  delayed  its  publication  for  months  longer 
than  I  anticipated.  Those  reasons  I  need  not  explain  here. 
The  command  had  the  good  fortune  to  serve  until  the  end  of  the 
war.  Entering  the  service  when  the  black  clouds  of  despond- 
ency had  settled  over  the  land,  it  withdrew  only  when  the  sun- 
light of  Peace  illumined  a  clear  sky,  from  zenith  to  horizon. 
Liberty  has  been  won.  Republican  institutions  now  stand  vindi- 
cated before  the  world.  If,  now,  the  brave  men  who  have  fought 
the  battles  of  the  Republic,  will  stand  forth  in  the  dignity  of 
true  manhood,  and  by  the  exercise  of  a  just  conservatism  in  their 
political  ideas,  abjuring  all  sectional  parties  and  isms,  continue  to 
maintain  what  has  l>een  gained,  sealed  as  it  is  by  the  blood  of  our 
martyred  President,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  fulfil  the  hopes  of  tlie 
Fatliers — the  labor  of  his  life — then  will  the  unity  of  the  nation 
be  established  on  a  basis  that  cannot  crumble,  and  the  world  for- 
ever feel  its  power  for  good. 

WM.  SUMNER  DODGE. 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Sept.  15,  1866. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

A  brief  History  of  the  Political  and  Military  Situation  of  the  Country 
in  the  Spring  and  Summer  of  1862 11 

CHAPTER  II. 

Company  and  Regimental  Organizations  —  Drill  —  Discipline — Visits  of 
Friends  while  Encamped  at  Dixon  —  Departure  for  the  Seat  of  War..  23 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Arrival  at  Louisville,  Kentucky  —  The  New  Organization  of  Buell's 
Army,  and  the  Assignment  of  the  Regiment  —  The  Opening  of  a  New 
Campaign  —  Movement  of  the  Various  Corps  —  The  Situation  — 
Skirmishes  with  the  Enemy  —  The  Attack  upon  Rousseau  and  Jack- 
son —  Great  Gallantry  of  these  Generals  —  The  Battle  of  Perry  ville  — 
Conduct  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois  —  Official  Recognition  of  its 
Services 31 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Pursuit  of  Bragg's  Forces  —  It  is  Abandoned,  and  the  Army  Moves 
upon  Nashville  —  Reorganizations  and  Changes  —  The  Position  of  tho 
Army  Around  Nashville 50 

CHAPTER  V. 

Advance  of  our  Army  upon  Murfreesboro  —  The  Battle  of  Stone  River 
—  Recital  of  its  Struggles  —  Gallantry  of  the  Seventy-fifth  —  Resum6 
of  the  Battle  —  Retreat  of  tho  Rebels,  and  Occupation  of  tho  Town. .  56 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Murfreesboro  and  its  Surroundings  —  Tho  Campaign  of  Middle  Ten- 
nessee —  Battle  of  Liberty  Gap  —  Defeat  of  the  Rebels  — The  New 
Line  of  our  Army 75 


VI.  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Winchester  —  Advance  of  the  Army  —  Battle  of  Chickamauga  —  Opera- 
tions of  Post's  Brigade  during  this  Campaign  —  Its  Heroism  and 
Endurance 81 

•j 

CHAPTER  VIIL 

Chattanooga  and  its  Scenery  —  Reorganization  of  the  Army  —  Farewell 
Address  of  Colonel  P.  Sidney  Post  —  The  Seventy-fifth  Assigned  to 
Colonel  Grose — Removal  to  Whitesides 99 

CHAPTER  IX. 

A  New  Campaign  —  Battles,  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge, 
and  Ringgold  —  Grandeur  of  the  Conflict,,  and  the  Decisiveness  of  its 
Results  —  The  Record  of  the  Regiment  — The  Carnage-field  of  Chicka- 
mauga—  Heart-sickening  Scenes  —  Burial  of  its  Fallen  Braves  — 
Return  to  "Whitesides 101 

CHAPTER  X. 

"Winter  Encampment  at  Whitesides  —  Movement  to  Blue  Springs  —  The 
Reconnoissance  to  Dalton  —  Organization  of  Pioneer  Company  — 
Preparations  for  the  Great  Atlanta  Campaign 122 

CHAPTER  XL 

Opening  of  the  Atlanta  Campaign  —  The  Battles  of  Buzzard  Roost, 
Rocky  Face,  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek,  Resaca,  and  Dallas  —  The  Move- 
able  Column 130 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Continuance  of  the  Campaign  —  The  Battles  of  Pine,  Lost  and  Kenesaw 

Mountains  —  Battles  of  Adairsville,  Symrna  or  Gulp's  Farm,  and 
Peach  Tree  Creek  —  The  Chattahoochie  and  Atlanta  —  The  Battles  of 
Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy's  Station  —  Occupation  of  Atlanta  —  End  of 
the  Great  Campaign. . . , 147 

CHAPTER  XIII.       *"' 

The  Rebels  Resume  the  Offensive  —  Retreat  of  a  Portion  of  our  Army  — 
The  Decoy  of  Hood  —  Thomas  Operates  against  Hood,  while  Sherman 
Marches  to  the  Sea  —  Skirmishes  at  Columbia  and  Spring  Hill  — 
Battle  of  Franklin  —  Retreat  of  our  Army  to  Nashville 113 


CONTENTS.  Vll. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Tho  Battle  of  Nashville  —  Defeat  of  the  Rebels,  and  their  Utter  Rout  — 
They  are  Driven  Across  the  Tennessee  —  Heroic  Bravery  of  our 
Men  —  Thomas's  Congratulatory  Order 189 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Campaign  into  East  Tennessee  —  Final  Surrender  of  the  Rebel  Armies 
—  The  Dawn  of  Peace  —  Return  of  Thomas's  Army  to  Nashville  — 
Order  for  Muster-out  —  Closing  Episodes  —  Final  Payment  and  Dis- 
charge of  the  Regiment  —  Conclusion 201 


CHAPTER    I. 


A  BEIEF  HISTOKY  OF  THE  POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY 
SITUATION  OF  THE  COUNTRY  IN  THE  SPRING  AND 
SUMMER  OF  1862. 

THE  rebellion,  which  our  people  were  confident  of 
crushing  in  three  short  months,  with  a  force  of 
seventy-five  thousand  men,  had  continued  through 
an  entire  year,  rousing  the  nation  to  a  realization 
of  the  fact  that  a  bitter  fratricidal  strife  was  upon 
us ;  a  war  of  sections,  which  augured  much  blood- 
shed, great  expenditure  of  treasure,  ruined  homes, 
devastated  fields,  broken  and  sorrowing  hearts. 
Already  three  hundred  thousand  additional  troop& 
were  in  the  field ;  but,  seemingly,  the  larger  our 
army,  the  more  complex  our  difficulties — yet  farther 
off  the  termination  of  the  dreadful  struggle. 

True,  in  the  West  there  had  been  sanguinary  bat- 
tles, resulting  in  rebel  defeats,  and  consequent  re- 
treats, entailing  upon  us  the  necessity  of  defending 
longer  exterior  lines  of  operation,  and  more  extended 
highways  of  communication.  The  battles  of 
2 


18  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Springs  and  Belmont  had  been  fought,  the  storming 
of  Fort  Donelson  effected,  and,  as  a  logical  sequence, 
the  evacuation  of  Columbus,  Bowling  Green,  and 
Nashville  by  the  rebel  forces.  Then  came  the  terrible 
ordeal  of  Shiloh,  where  the  united  armies  of  Grant 
and  Buell  routed  the  Beauregardian  hosts  of  the 
Confederacy,  and  drove  them  pell-mell  within  their 
fortifications  at  Corinth.  Other  brilliant  successes 
on  the  Mississippi,  and  beyond  it,  also  added  eclat 
to  our  victorious  western  banners.  The  surrender 
of  Island  No.  10,  and  the  blood-bought  field  of  Pea 
Ridge,  for  a  moment  inspired  faith  in  our  speedy 
triumph.  And  the  dashing  operations  of  Mitchell's 
command  in  Alabama  greatly  strengthened  that 
faith. 

But  now  there  was  a  lull  in  the  conquering  breeze. 
Defiantly  sat  the  combined  rebel  armies  of  the 
South- West  in  the  intrenchments  at  Corinth,  await- 
ing the  attack  of  the  concentrated  Union  forces 
under  Grant,  Buell,  and  Pope.  Here  resulted  a  long 
and  weary  siege,  ending  in  the  escape  of  the  entire 
rebel  army,  outwitting  all  the  deep-laid  plans  of  the 
military  chieftain,  Halleck. 

But  the  war  which,  until  the  siege  of  Corinth,  had 
been  such  a  success  in  the  West,  had  been  almost 
one  constant  reverse  in  the  East.  Like  the  Spanish 
campaigns  against  the  Moors  and  Turks,  the  Crucifix 
triumphed  here,  the  Crescent  there.  From  Bull  Run 
to  Yorktown,  thence  through  the  memorable  Chick- 
ahominy  campaign,  resulting  in  the  indomitable  but 


SUCCESSES   AND   ADVEKSITIES.  19 

ill-starred  battles  of  Mechanicsville,  Games'  Hill, 
Savage  Station,  and  Malvern  Hill,  up  to  the  very 
gateways  of  Richmond,  within  grasp  of  the  coveted 
prize,  the  Union  cause  oscillated,  until  every  .gleam 
of  hope  was  dispelled ;  when  at  last  the  sad  intelli- 
gence was  published  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
rested  at  Harrison's  Landing  —  thousands  of  patriot 
men  in  their  graves,  and  nothing  accomplished. 

Our  navy,  weak  in  numbers,  but  gallant  in  heart 
and  purpose,  invested  the  coast,  each  harbor  and 
inlet,  aiding  so  far  as  possible  in  preventing  rebel 
communication  with  Europe,  cutting  off  the  enemy's 
supplies,  and  placing  him  strictly  within  the  pale  of 
insurrection,  or  rebellion.  Besides  this  onerous  duty, 
it  maintained  its  olden  reputation  -  for  achievement 
in  the  capture  of  Newbern,  St.  Augustine,  and  New 
Orleans.  . 

Such  was  the  status  of  military  affairs.  The 
politics  of  the  country,  which  then  in  fact  controlled 
the  army,  its  movements  and  policy,  were  in  a  far 
more  lamentable  condition.  Slavery,  the  cause  of 
the  rebellion,  and  therefore  the  root  of  discord  which 
should  have  been  exterminated,  or  rather  to  destroy 
which  should  have  been  the  policy  of  the  Govern- 
ment, was,  strangely  enough,  cared  for  as  tenderly 
as  a  child.  A  foreigner,  not  familiar  with  tne  his- 
tory of  the  conspiracy,  its  causes,  and  the  ambitious 
motives  of  its  leaders,  would  have  supposed  that  we 
regarded  Slavery  as  a  tower  of  strength  in  our  cause 
—  that  upon  its  protection  depended  the  salvation 


20  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

of  the  Union.  Campaigns  were  conducted,  marches 
made,  the  armies  sustained  in  such  manner  as  least 
to  tax  the  energies  and  resources  of  the  South. 

Our  army  fought  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Union : 
the  rebel  .army  for  its  disintegration,  and  the  perpe- 
tuity of  Slavery.  The  deadly  conflict  was  waged  by 
us  against  the  latter  idea,  yet  outside  of  the  battle- 
field no  steps  could  .be  taken  to  thwart  the  foul  pur- 
pose. Rebel  property  was  protected  by  Federal 
bayonets.  Their  homes,  their  fields  of  corn  and 
grain,  and  the  slaves  who  sustained  the  damnable 
cause,  were  each  and  all  secured  to  the  rebel  masters. 
When  it  was  deemed  necessary  by  military  commanders 
to  use  or  appropriate  any  species  of  property  belong- 
ing to  the  enemy,  this  could  only  be  done  with  im- 
mediate and  full  compensation.  And  the  negro,  the 
innocent  cause  of  all,  he  who  never  yet  through  all 
the  war  betrayed  our  side,  and  who  from  his  position 
was  ever  able  to  give  valuable  information  relating 
to  rebel  movements,  was  denied  admission  within 
our  lines,  and  if  by  chance  he  came  into  our  camps, 
Union  soldiers  were  employed  to  force  him  to  re- 
turn to  his .  so-called  master.  So  despised  was  the 
negro,  and  so  fearful  were  the  politicians  and  military 
of  giving  offence  to  their  "  Southern  brethren !" 

War*  is  a  calamity  to  any  nation  involved  in  its 
bloody  meshes.  But  when  it  is  forced  upon  a  peace- 
ful people,  all  its  terrible  engineiy  should  be  used  to 
crush  the  aggressor  into  the  earth.  Every  means 
allowed  by  the  law  of  nations  should  be  employed  to 


THE    POWEE   OF    SLAVERY.  21 

make  the  conflict  speedy  and  decisive.  With  us  was 
presented  the  anomaly  of  fighting  to  destroy  a  heresy, 
yet  protecting  it  behind  the  very  shields  we  in  vain 
sought  to  shatter.  "War  thus  waged  was  inhuman. 
It  awarded  a  premium  to  butchery,  without  hope  of 
good  results.  It  was  like  the  cannibals  of  the  South 
Sea  Islands,  who,  binding  their  victims,  cover  them 
with  wounds,  yet  are  careful  not  to  pierce  a  vital 
part,  lest  the  sufferings  of  the  tortured  cease.  God 
had  no  attributes  that  would  side  with  us  in  such  a 
warfare. 

But  He  had  not  deserted  us.  He  suffered  our 
people  to  flounder  on  in  this  sea  of  trouble,  until 
calm  reason  should  teach  them  by  stern  experience 
what  party  prejudices  and  passion  had  failed  to  do, 
that  emancipation  of  the  negro  and  the  fulfillment  of 
the  promises  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  were 
the  conditions  of  our  national  safety. 

Thus  formidable  was  the  power  of  Slavery.  From 
the  first  cannon-shot  which  announced  the  fray,  until 
July  in  1862,  it  controlled  not  only  its  own  usurped 
domains,  but  the.  political  power  of  the  Free  States, 
so  that  no  arm  was  yet  sufficiently  nerved  to  attack 
the  giant  criminal.  Then  the  people,  realizing  that 
Divine  favor  could  never  be  bestowed  on  injustice, 
marshalled  their  forces  to  storm  the  citadel.  Our 
martyred  President,  who  ever  leaned  upon  the  pop- 
ular heart,  and  directed  his  policy  in  accordance  with 
its  pulsations,  finally,  thinking  the  hour  had  come, 
grasped  the  thunderbolt  under  which  the  iniquity 


22  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS. 

should  stagger  to  its  fall.  Nearly  contemporary  with 
this  glorious  event  came  the  demand  for  more  troops, 
to  carry  on  war  in  earnest,  and  under  this  call  of 
July  6,  1862,  came  that  generous  outpouring  of 
brave  and  loyal  hearts,  adding  new  strength  to  the 
armies  already  in  the  field,  and  constituting  with 
them  that  grander  force  which  in  the  future  would 
astonish  the  world  by  its  magnificent  triumphs. 


.  . 
CHAPTER    II. 


OEGANIZATION DEILL VISITS     OF    FRIENDS 

DEPAETUEE. 

IMMEDIATELY  upon  the  call  of  the  President,  July  6, 
1862,  for  three  hundred  thousand  volunteers,  and 
before  it  was  yet  definitely  known  what  would  be 
the  quota  for  Illinois,  Governor  Eichard  Yates,  than 
whom  no  better  ever  served  a  State,  full  of  patriotic 
ardor  and  lofty  devotion  to  the  cause,  issued  a  stirring 
proclamation  to  the  citizens  of  Illinois.  It  was  the 
bugle-blast  calling  to  battle  —  the  key-note  to  a 
grand  success.  * 

In  a  few  days  after  the  call  was  made,  it  was 
announced  that  the  Illinois  quota  would  be  52,296 
men.  The  Secretary  of  War  had  previously  called 
for  nine  regiments  as  a  part  of  this  quota,  and  nine 
camps  of  rendezvous  were  at  once  established  for  the 
troops.  Among  them  was  one  at  Dixon,  the  county 
seat  of  Lee.  This  was  the  camp  of  instruction  for 
the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  and  was  entitled  Camp 
Dement,  in  honor  of  a  highly  esteemed  citizen  of 


JP 

24  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS. 

that  town,  who  had  formerly  held  various  offices  of 
public  trust  —  Colonel  John  Dement. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1862,  Captain  Wm.  M. 
Kilgore,  who  had  on  the  previous  17th  of  July  been 
commissioned  by  the  Adjutant-General  to  raise  a 
company  for  the  service,  received  the  following  : 

"  General  Order  No.  8k 

"  GEN.  HEAD  QUARTERS  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS,  j 

"  ADJ'T  GEN'L'S  OFFICE,  SPRINGFIELD,  > 

"  August  15th,  1862.       ) 

"  Captain  Wm.  M.  Kilgore,  of  Whiteside  county, 
will  assume  temporary  command  of  volunteers  at 
camp  at  Dixon  until  further  orders,  and  make  daily 
reports  to  this  Department. 

"  By  order  of  His  Excellency,  Richard  Yates,  Gov- 
ernor. 

"  ALLEN  C.  FULLEE,  Adft  General" 

In  obedience  to  this  order,  Captain  Kilgore  took 
charge  of  "  Camp  Dement,"  and  the  new  levies  for 
that  Congressional  district  were  rapidly  concentrated 
here  for  organization  and  drill. 

The  several-  companies  which  composed  the  Sev- 
enty-fifth were  speedily  organized,  to  wit : 

COMPANY  A  was  enlisted  at  Dixon  by  James  A. 
Watson,  Ezekiel  Giles,  William  Parker,  and  George 
Putnam.  The  men  were  principally  from  Dixon, 
Palmyra  and  Nelson.  It  elected  its  company  officers, 
and  was  sworn  into  the  State  service  August  llth, 
and  rendezvoused  at  Camp  Dement  on  the  13th. 


COMPAQ   OKGANIZATTONS.  25 

COMPAISTY  B  was  recruited  at  Lyndon,  Whiteside 
county,  by  John  Whallen,  James  Blean,  and  others. 
Its  members  were  principally  from  Lyndon,  Fenton, 
Garden  Plains,  Newton,  Round  Grove,  and  Prophets- 
town.  It  was  organized  and  company  officers  elected 
on  the  12th  of  August,  and  on  the  15th  proceeded 
to  Dixon. 

COMPATTT  C  was  raised  at  Morrison,  Whiteside 
county,  chiefly  by  the  energy  of  John  E.  Bennett, 
assisted  by  Ernest  Altman  and  George  R.  Shaw.  Its 
members  were  from  Morrison,  Prophetstown,  Round 
Grove,  Newton1,  Clyde,  and  Portland.  This  company 
was  recruited  in  five  days,  commencing  August  4th, 
and  being  organized  by  the  election  of  officers  on 
the  9th.  It  left  for  Dixon  the  14th  of  August. 

COMPAQ  D  was  recruited  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Chicago  Board  of  Trade,  by  Capt.  A.  McMoore, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Sterling;  Colomo;  Genesee,  Hume, 
Hannahman,  Hopkins,  Montmorency,  Portland,  and 
Prophetstown — all  of  Whiteside  county.  This  com- 
pany first  rendezvoused  at  Sterling.  On  the  llth 
of  August  it  elected  its  officers,  and  that  night  pro- 
ceeded to  Chicago.  But  owing  to  misrepresentation 
or  misunderstanding  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of 
Trade,  it  returned  to  Sterling,  and  on  the  15th  joined 
the  company  organizations  at  Dixon. 

COMPANY  E  was  raised  almost  wholly  from  the 
towns  of  Lee  Center  and  Sublette,  in  the  county  of 
Lee.  Its  organization  was  more  the  result  of  an  out- 
burst of  patriotic  ardor  on  the  part  of  the  loyal  peo- 


26  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

pie,  who  were  determined  to  see  our  cause  succeed, 
than  that  of  individual  effort.  Yet  to  Wm.  S.  Frost, 

F.  H.  Eels,  and  J.  H.  Blodgett,  the  officers  elected, 
is  the  company  indebted  for  speedy  preparation  for 
the  field.   It  rendezvoused  at  Dixon  about  the  middle 
of  August. 

.COMPANY  F  was  recruited  in  the  vicinity  of  Am- 
boy,  county  of  Lee,  by  Addison  S.  Vorrey  and  James 
Tourtillott.  It  rendezvoused  in  Amboy  during  its 
enlistment,  and  when  ready  was  sworn  into  the  State 
service  by  Samuel  Brown,  Esq.,  on  the  2 1st  of 
August,  and  on  the  27th  joined  the  volunteers  at 
Dixon. 

COMPANY  G  was  organized  at  Franklin  Grove,  Lee 
county.  Its  members  were  from  that  vicinity  and 
adjoining  towns.  Those  who  contributed  particularly 
to  its  success  were  Joseph  Williams,  Robert  L.  Irwin, 
and  James  Taylor,  of  Lafayette.  The  latter,  by  his 
influence  alone,  raised  thirty  men  for  this  company. 
Twenty-seven  of  the  members  were  married  men. 
Upon  its  organization  it  reported  at  Dixon. 

COMPANY  H  was  recruited  in  Sterling,  Como,  Gen- 
esee  Grove,  and  Jordan,  through  the  efforts  of  John 

G.  Price,  Joseph  "W.  R.  Stambaugh,  and  others.     It 
remained  for   a  short  time  in  Sterling,  but  upon 
the  election  of  its  officers  it  moved  to  the  encamp- 
ment at  Dixon. 

COMPANY  I  was  enlisted  in  Whiteside  county,  prin- 
cipally in  the  townships  of  Sterling,  Erie,  Fulton, 
and  Ustick.  The  election  of  officers  took  place  at 


ORGANIZATION   COMPLETED.  27" 

Wallace  Hall  In  Sterling,  on  the  evening  of  August 
14th,  and  was  made  an  occasion  of  much  festivity 
and  good  feeling.  After  the  meeting  was  over,  the 
"boys"  amused  themselves  by  hauling  an  old  "Mc- 
Corrnick"  through  the  streets,  one  of  their  number 
going  through  the  motions  of  "raking  off."  This 
gave  them  the  name  of  the  "  Reaper  Company."  It 
rendezvoused  at  Dixon,  August  18th,  and  awaited 
further  orders. 

COMPANY  K  was  organized  at  Wyoming,  Lee 
county,  and  was  enlisted  by  Dr.  George  Ryon, 
James  Thompson,  B.  G.  Barrett,  and  I.  L.  Hunt,  in 
Pawpaw,  Willow  Creek,  Wyoming,  and  Viola.  On 
the  25th  of  August  it  proceeded  to  Dixon. 

Such  is  a  brief  history  of  the  organization  of  the 
companies  which  were  soon  to  constitute  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  They  were  composed 
almost  entirely  of  farmers  and  farmers'  sons,  and 
young  men  in  the  country  towns,  of  the  22d  judicial 
circuit.  They  were  emphatically  citizens,  but  very 
few  of  whom,  either  as  officers  or  men,  had  seen 
actual  service  in  war.  Now  they  were  entered  on  a 
field  of  duty  unknown  and  untried,  full  of  fatigue, 
hardship,  suffering,  and  danger.  They  were  men, 
who,  now  the  Republic  was  in  imminent  peril,  re- 
solved to  throw  themselves  into  the  deadly  breach, 
that  it  might  be  saved.  Forgetful  of  self,  and  rising 
above  the  sordid  views  of  gain,  they  abandoned  the 
quiet  of  their  homes,  society  and  its  .fascinations,  the 
world  at  large  and  its  constant  whirl  of  excitement, 


28  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS.  . 

and  as  soldiers  were  now  to  "  gird  on  their  armor," 
march  forth  to  battle,  and,  breasting  the  leaden  and 
iron  hail  of  the  enemy,  stand  the  avowed  champions 
of  the  national  honor  and  safety. 

On  the  2d  day  of  September,  the  regimental  com- 
panies, having  lotteried  each  for  its  letter  designation, 
and  also  elected  its  field  officers  —  Dr.  Geo.  Byon,  of 
Co.  K,  as  .Colonel;  JohnE.  Bennett,  of  Company  C, 
as  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  and  Win.  M.  Kilgore,  of  Com- 
pany I,  as  Major  —  they  were  mustered  into  the  ser- 
ice  of  the  United  States,  under  orders  of  Governor 
Yates,  "  for  three  years  or  during  the  war,"  by  Capt. 
T.  O.  Barri,  of  the  Eleventh  U.  S.  Infantry. 

"  Camp  Dement "  now  became  a  grand  school  of 
instruction.  Several  other  companies,  the  nuclus  of 
other  regiments,  were  here,  and  officers  and  inen 
must,  so  far  as  possible,  be  thoroughly  informed  of 
the  duties  pertaining  to  the  camp,  the  garrison,'  the 
march,  and  the  field.  Tactics,  embracing  the  school 
of  the  soldier,  the  company,  skirmish  drill,  and  the 
school  of  the  battalion,  were  carefully  and  constantly 
taught,  and  theory  joined  to  practice.  Major  Kilgore 
and  Captain  Hale  having  seen  some  service,  one  in 
the  13th,  and  the  other  in  the  llth  Illinois,  aided 
much  in  a  quick  understanding  of  those  movements. 

Here  for  nearly  a  month,  the  regiment  was  busied 
in  learning  to  be  soldiers.  Schooling  in  positions, 
facings,  the  principles  of  the  step,  the  manual  of  arms, 
loading,  firing,  bayonet  exercise,  kneeling,  alignment, 
marching,  and  wheeling,  was  the  order  of  the  day. 


THE   PERIL    OF   THE    COTJNTEY.  29 

The  camp  was  thronged  with  visitors  and  friends 
of  the  soldiers,  and  much  amusement  was  afforded 
them.  But  this  was  mere  play  at  soldiering.  It  was 
not  to  last  long.  The  Government  had  not  called 
them  into  being  as  blue-dressed  toys  to  tickle  a  war- 
like nation's  -pride ;  but  for  stern  work,  such  only  as 
heroes  are  fit  for  and  die  in  the  doing. 

The  country  was  full  of  dangers.  Everywhere, 
north,  south,  east  and  west,  the  demons  of  destruc- 
tion raised  their  hydra  heads,  and  howled  madness 
and  wrath.  Here  it  was  open,  declared  foes ;  there 
it  was  a  concealed  enemy,  the  more  dangerous  be- 
cause secret.  But  the  safety  of  the  Republic  rested 
with  its  citizens,  its  founders  and  supporters.  If  so  in- 
clined, they  could  maintain  it  against  every  shock. 
Would  they  do  it  ?  History  nowhere  testifies  to 
such  an  out-pouring  of  patriotism,  such  shedding  of 
blood,  such  sufferings,  and  finally  such  triumphs. 
But  there  were  dark  days  still  in  store  for  us ;  days 
such  as,  while  their  events  are  recorded  in  the  great 
scroll  of  time,  should  sadden  many  a  household 
hearth.  And  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH,  unable  to  read 
the  dark  horoscope  of  the  immediate  future,  drifted 
rapidly  into  its  vortex  of  "  fire  and  blood." 

Orders  came  for  a  movement  immediately  to  the 
seat  of  war.  And  so,  on  the  2Yth  of  September, 
many  a  last  farewell  was  spoken,  many  a  lip  was  for 
the  last  time  pressed,  and  many  a  heart  mutely  told 
what  the  tongue,  dumb  with  anguish,  could  not 
utter. 


30  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

But  they  were  going  forth  to  battle  for  God, 
Country,  and  Right,  and  they  felt  that  they  were  in 
His  good  keeping ;  and  if  they  were  numbered. with 
the  slain,  it  was  to  serve  his  own  -wise  purpose. 
Hence  they  hesitated  not  at  duty. 


CHAPTER    III. 


THE   BATTLE   OF   CHAPLIN   HILLS EOUSSEATJ VALOK 

OF  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH ITS  FEAKFTJL  LOSS. 

\ 

UPON  the  arrival  of  the  Army  of  the  Ohio  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  whence  it  had  retreated  to  save  that  city 
from  the  rebel  army  under  General  Bragg,  it  was 
thoroughly  reorganized,  and  the  new  levies  were  dis- 
tributed in  the  different  divisions  and  brigades  of 
the  old  army.  It  was  organized  into  three  army 
corps,  the  First  commanded  by  Major-General  A. 
McD.  McCook ;  the  Second  by  Major-General  T.  L. 
Crittenden ;  and  the  Third  by  Major-General  C.  C. 
Gilbert.  The  army  consisted  of  eleven  divisions, 
formed  of  brigades  numbering  from  One  to  Thirty- 
seven.  The  SEVENTY-FIFTH  Illinois  arrived  at  Jeffer- 
sonville,  Indiana,  on  the  29th  of  September,  via 
Chicago  and  Indianapolis.  Thousands  of  others  of 
the  new  troops  were  all  along  the  Indiana  shore, 
rallied  there  to  repel  the  threatened  capture  of  Louis- 
ville. A  gigantic  task  was  now  before  the  command- 
ing General  —  that  of  supply.  These  great  armies 
of  men,  old  and  new,  must  be  fed  and  clothed,  and 


32  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

to  a  great  extent  newly  equipped.  This  and  the 
reorganization  accomplished,  the  campaign  could  be 
commenced  with  reasonable  hope  of  success. 

The  SEVENTY-FIFTH  was  assigned  to  the  Thirtieth 
Brigade,  Ninth  Division,  and  Third  Army  Corps. 
General  Crittenden's  Corps  constituted  the  right 
wing,  General  McCook's  the  left,  and  General  Gil- 
bert's the  center.  Such  was  the  new  organization  of 
the  "Army  of  the  Ohio." 

By  the  30th  of  September  the  army  was  consolid- 
ated, equipped,  and  ready  for  the  advance.  Bragg's 
forces  were  still  at  Bardstown,  Kentucky,  and  on 
the  1st  of  October  the  army  moved  out  the  Bards- 
town,  Frankfort  and  Lebanon  pikes,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  attacking  them.  But  now,  Bragg  had  moved 
his  command  from  Bardstown  to  Perryville,  and  the 
concurrent  testimony  of  citizens  and  prisoners  proved 
that  it  was  his  intention  to  move  still  further  south- 
ward, and  not  to  offer  the  "  wager  of  battle."  But, 
finally,  learning  that  the  advance  of  Buell's  columns 
was  moving  rapidly  upon  the  rear  of  his  own  column, 
he  resolved  to  mass  his  force'sand  crush  one  or  more  of 
them,  and  thus,  if  necessity  compelled,  or  opportun- 
ity offered,  destroy  our  army  by  detail.  Bragg, 
therefore,  skillfully  amused  our  generals  by  means 
of  small  parties  of  cavalry,  skirmishing  at  Floyd's 
Fork,  Claysville,  Mount  Washington,  Bardstown, 
Springfield,  and  Texas ;  inducing  them  to  believe 
they  were  closely  upon  his  heels,  while  in  reality  he 
was  most  judiciously  posting  his  army  to  entrap  us. 


PREPARATIONS   FOR  BATTLE.  33 

He  had  planted  his  batteries  upon  a  range  of  low, 
wooded  hills  in  front  of  Perry ville,  overlooking  and 
completely  commanding  a  large  space  of  open  ground 
lying  immediately  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge.  His 
infantry  were  massed  around  and  behind  his  artillery, 
and  his  cavalry  were  prepared  to  charge  down  the 
slope  of  the  hills,  and  sweep  everything  from  the 
comparatively  level  ground  below.  Such  was  the 
position  selected  by  the  rebel  general.  His  forces 
were  under  the  immediate  command  of  the  Rev.  and 
General  Leonidas  Polk.  His  division  commanders 
were  Hardee  (who  had  two  divisions),  Cheatham, 
Buckner,  and  Anderson. 

On  the  7th  October,  the  two  armies  well  confronted 
each  other.  Skirmishing  with  infantry,  and  artillery 
duels  were  of  frequent  occurrence.  Our  own  lines 
were  gradually  established,  and  preparations  made 
for  battle.  Major-General  McCook,  with  his  two 
divisions,  Rousseau's  and  Jackson's,  occupied  splen- 
did ground,  selected  by  Rousseau  —  ground  which 
the  sequel  proved  was  admirably  held,  although  with 
the  most  terrific  fighting.  J  Gilbert's  Corps  came  in 
on  the  Springfield  turnpike,  and  when  within  five 
miles  of  Perryville,  the  enemy  appeared  in  force, 
the  Ninth  Division,  General  R.  B.  Mitchell's,  was 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  across  the  road.  ISTo 
engagement,  save  light  skirmishing,  ensued,  and  soon 
after  the  Eleventh  Division,  General  Phil.  Sheridan, 
was  passed  to  the  front,  and  established  on  some 
heights  to  the  right  of  the  road  near  Doctor's  Creek. 
3 


34  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

General  Crittenden's  corps  was  moving  up  the 
Lebanon  pike,  but  was  not  within  supporting  dis- 
tance. The  order  of  battle  thus  established  was : 
Rousseau's  division  on  the  extreme  left,  with  Jack- 
son's division  somewhat  to  the  rear ;  joining  this  on 
the  right  and  in  prolongation  of  the  line,  was  Sheri- 
dan's division,  with  Mitchell's  in  reserve.  The  cav- 
alry, under  General  Gay,  was  deployed  on  the  flanks. 

The  night  was  a  beautiful  moon-light.  Softly 
Luna  shone  on  hill  and  valley,  on  forest  and  field  — 
tinting  with  mellow  hues  the  foliage  of  the  trees. 
The  scene  was  grandly  solemn  —  solemn,  because 
while  Nature  herself  was  so  peaceful,  man,  enraged 
against  his  brother,  was  marshaled  in  warlike  array, 
eager  to  inflict  death,  destruction,  and  woe.  All 
through  the  night  shot  and  shell  went  whizzing  over 
head,  crashing  through  the  trees  ;  constant  monitors 
that  the  enemy  was  present,  and  heralds  of  a  bloody 
to-morrow. 

It  was  hardly  day-break  on  the  8th,  for  the  beau- 
tiful moonlight  still  slumbered  upon  the  hills,  when 
the  rebels  appeared  on  the  front  and  flanks  of  the 
Thirty-sixth  Brigade,  Colonel  Daniel  McCook's,  and 
planting  a  battery,  poured  forth  a  shower  of  shrapnel, 
which  went  crashing  through  its  lines  ;  but  although 
new  troops,  they  never  flinched  from  duty.  A  few 
well-directed  shots  from.  Barnett's  artillery  silenced 
the  rebel  guns.  But  the  foe  was  determined,  and 
thrice  rallied  round  the  guns  and  opened  fire  ;  each 
time  to  be  repulsed  b^  the  deadly  Parrotts,  and 


THE   INITIATORY   BATTLE.  35 

finally  to  retire  altogether.  Thus  McCook  held  in 
undisputed  possession  the  contested  ground.  General 
Gay  then  threw  forward  a  portion  of  his  cavalry, 
the  Second  Michigan,  in  pursuit  of  the  retiring  rebels, 
one  battalion  dismounted,  two  mounted,  and  soon 
encountered  resistance.  The  dismounted  force,  aided 
by  the  Fifty-second  Ohio,  entered  into  the  work  with 
energy,  and  drove  them  from  the  woods ;  but  they 
soon  met  reinforcements,  rallied,  and  in  turn  forced 
our  men  to  retire,  obstinately  contesting  each  inch 
of  ground. 

In  a  few  moments  it  seemed  as  if  the  battle  had 
commenced.  On  came  the  rebels,  pouring  volley 
after  volley  into  the  ranks  of  our  cavalry  and  ad- 
vanced infantry  —  pushing  them  back  to  their  orig- 
inal position.  This  gave  the  enemy  courage  ;  and 
with  that  whoop  or  yell  so  peculiar  to  them,  they 
prepared  to  attack  our  main  line  of  battle.  The 
situation  was  critical  indeed.  Should  they  break  the 
line  of  the  Thirty-sixth  Brigade,  they  would  hold  the 
center  of  our  intended  line  of  battle,  and  disaster 
must  ensue.  Fortunately,  Mitchell's  division  had 
moved  up,  and  was  already  establishing  a  prolonga- 
tion of  this  line  of  battle,  and  covering  securely  the 
entire  right  of  the  hill.  So  far  safe  ;  but  more  for- 
tunate still,  the  Second  Missouri  Infantry,  of  PeaKidge 
fame,  came  gallantly  to  the  aid  of  the  imperiled 
line,  and  then  the  Michigan  heroes  advanced  anew, 
the  Second  Missouri  moving  close  after  in  line  of 
battle,  supported  by  the  Fifteenth  Missouri.  Again 


36  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

the  battle  raged  fiercely.  A  perfect  hailstorm  of 
bullets  greeted  them;  shot  and  shell  tore  among 
them  fearfully  ;  and  many  a  brave  heart  departed  to 
another  world.  In  vain  this  murderous  fire,  in  vain 
the  sleet  of  leaden  hail.  Undaunted  they  pushed  on, 
the  "  Stars  and  Stripes "  gloriously  aloft,  and  soon 
the  dismayed  and  conquered  rebels  fled  from  the 
field.  Pursuit  was  made  for  more  than  a  mile  ;  and 
Hotchkiss'  Minnesota  battery  aided  much  by  an 
effective  fire  upon  the  enemy's  flank. 

Thus  ended  the  initiatory  engagement  on  this 
fatal  day.  It  was  ten  o'clock*in  the  morning.  Our 
loss  had  been  considerable  ;  the  enemy's  equaled  at 
least  our  own,  for  both  had  fought  with  tenacious 
purpose  ;  but  we  were  masters  of  the  ground.  This 
attack  of  Bragg  confirmed  our  generals  in  the  opin- 
ion that  here  we  were  to  be  met  and  driven  back,  if 
possible.  Thus  it  was  deemed  the  height  of  impru- 
dence to  invite  attack  by  any  offensive  demonstration 
on  our  part,  until  our  own  army  was  all  in  order  of 
battle,  or  at  least  within  close  support. 

It  is  evident,  however,  Ihe  rebel  generals  chafed 
with  madness  and  impatience.  Their  well  conceived 
plan  of  drawing  our  advance  troops  into  a  trap  had 
failed,  owing  to  the  judicious  cautiousness  of  their 
movement  as  they  neared  Perryville.  Again,  the 
longer  they  delayed  the  battle,  the  more  doubtful 
was  their  success,  as  they  justly  reasoned  it  were 
better  to  fight  two  or  three  divisions  than  six.  Hence 
the  order  of  Bragg,  to  "  assail  at  once,  and  vigor- 
ously." 


ATTACK   ON   EOUSSEATJ.  37 

About  noon,  or  perhaps  somewhat  later,  everything 
being  quiet,  as  all  indications  were  that  the  enemy 
had  for  a  time  retired,  General  Rousseau  concluded 
to  resume  his  march  to  Chaplin  Creek,  anticipating 
by  a  little  a  verbal  order  of  General  ,Buell  given  to 
General  McCook,  to  move  to  this  point,  as  his  men 
were  suffering  most  intensely  from  thirst. 

While  General  Gay  was  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy,  he  had  requested  support  from  Rousseau  for 
his  artillery,  and  the  General  had  sent  him  the 
Forty-second  Indiana,  and  Looniis  with  two  of  his 
long-range  Parrott  guns.  These  had  remained  in  the 
position  occupied  during  the  engagement ;  and  now, 
as  the  head  of  Rousseau's  column  was  within  a  hun- 
dred yards  of  Loomis's  guns,  it  was  reported  to  him 
that  the  enemy  was  reappearing  in  the  woods  beyond. 
He  halted  the  column,  rode  forward  personally  to 
satisfy  himself  of  the  fact,  and  in  a  few  moments 
more  the  rebels  could  be  seen  plainly.  The  discharge 
of  shell  from  three  masked  batteries  proved  unmis- 
takably that  they  were  in  force,  determined  on 
action. 

Rousseau  ordered  Loomis  to  reply  instantly,  and 
to  hasten  forward  the  remainder  of  his  guns. 
Simonson's  Fifth  Indiana  Battery  was  ordered  up,  and 
the  contest  opened  in  thunder  tbnes.  He*  then  di- 
rected Colonel  Lytle  to  form  his  brigade  on  the  right 
in  a  strong  position,  and  immediately  learning  from 
Captain  Wickliffe,  of  the  Second  Kentucky  Cavalry, 
that  a  great  force  of  cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery 


38  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

was  moving  down  directly  on  the  front  of  Colonel 
Harris's  brigade,  he  galloped  over  to  him  and  assisted 
in  forming  his  brigade  in  two  lines  of  battle,  on  the 
left  of  Colonel  Lytle.  Here  the  gallant  Starkweather 
announced  by  a  messenger  his  arrival  on  the  field 
still  further  to  the  left.  Rousseau's  heart  was  glad- 
dened, for  these  men  were  veterans,  tried  and  true. 
The  Twenty-Eighth  Brigade  had  been  accidentally 
cut  off  in  the  morning  by  a  movement  of  General 
Jackson's  division  at  Maxville ;  but  Starkweather, 
time  to  the  instincts  of  a  soldier,  hearing  firing  in  the 
front,  had  abandoned  the  road,  moved  around  Jack- 
son's column,  and  halted  where  Rousseau  found  him, 
and,  as  Rousseau  says,  in  his  official  report,  "on  the 
very  spot  where  he  was  most  needed:"  At  this  mo- 
ment a  large  body  of  rebel  cavalry  was  seen  moving 
down  the  road  a  full  mile  in  front  of  Starkweather's 
line,  which,  admirably  shelled  by  Stone's  First  Ken- 
tucky Battery,  was  dispersed  in  great  disorder.  The 
First  Kentucky  and  Bush's  Fourth  Indiana  artillery 
were  then  placed  on  a  high  ridge  on  the  extreme  left 
of  the  battle  line,  extending  diagonally  to -the  front. 
These  batteries  were  supported  by  the  First  Wiscon- 
sin, while  the  Seventy-ninth  Pennsylvania,  in  line  on 
another  ridge  running  at  right  angles  to  the  one  on 
which  the  batteries  were  planted,  delivered  a  splendid 
cross-fire  upon  any  troops  attempting  to  charge  them ; 
and  this  proved  to  be  the  key  of  the  position  during 
all  that  bloody  ordeal  soon  to  follow. 

These  positions  were  all  taken  in  great  haste,  but 


A   TEKRIBLE   STRUGGLE.  39 

without  the  least  confusion.    Rousseau  now  returned 
to  Harris's  brigade,  and  found  the  Thirty-third  Ohio 
already  engaged,  being  ordered  further  forward  by 
General  McCook,  closely  supported  by  the  Second 
Ohio.     Rousseau   then   led   forward   in  person  the 
Twenty-fourth  Illinois,  which  was  rapidly  deployed 
into  line,  and  went  galloping  into  action  on  the  left 
of  the  Thirty-third  Ohio.     Harris's  entire  brigade 
now  received  a  fearful  shock  in  battle.     Cheatham's 
whole  division  bore  down  upon  it,  three  to  one,  and 
the  cannonade  and  musketry  fire  was  terrible.  Mars, 
the  great  god  of  war,  now  held  full  sway.     He  was 
carrying  out  on  the  grandest  scale  a  tragedy  more 
direful  than  ever  was  presented  on  the  foot-boards, 
to  never  so  excited  an  auditorium.      Tragedy  had 
stepped  into  full  life ;  all  that  devoted  band  were 
actors.     The  brightness  of  day  had  changed  into  the 
gloom  of  night.  The  demon  of  Death  hurtled  through 
the  sulphureous  canopy  his  ministers  of  steel  and 
flame,  and  laid  hundreds  of  brave  men  low.     But 
right  gallantly  this  noble  brigade  held  the  enemy  at 
bay,  hurling  back  each  assault  with  desperate  energy ; 
and  among  those  noble  soldiers  none  displayed  more 
valor  than  the  new  regiment,  the  Ninety-fourth  Ohio, 
Colonel  Frizell,  which,  acting  in  unison   with   the 
Thirty-eighth  India'na,  did  service  worthy  the  eternal 
gratitude  of  the  country.    The  men  not  only  emptied 
their  own  cartridge  boxes,  but  those  of  the  dead  and 
wounded  around  them. 

At  this  juncture,  General  Jackson's  division,  com- 


40  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

posed  entirely  of  new  troops,  and  hence  lacking  that 
confidence  which  association  with  veteran  regiments 
would  naturally  give  them,  having  been  terribly 
pressed  by  another  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy 
— Hardee's  division — their  gallant  Generals  Jackson 
and  Terrell  being  killed,  and  the  chivalrous  Webster 
mortally  wounded,  yielded  the  field  in  great  confu- 
sion, hundreds  of  their  men  falling  meantime,  under 
a  most  merciless  fire  of  musketry,  sacrificing  the 
magnificent  battery  of  Parsons,  and  breaking  the 
line  of  battle.  At  first  they  fought  with  commend- 
able courage,  and  again  and  again  checked  the  rebel 
tides  as  they  rolled  frantically  against  their  lines.  But 
the  troops  opposed  to  them  wete  the  veterans  who  had 
taken  part  in  the  battles  of  Belrnont,  Fort  Donelson, 
and  Shiloh,  and  their  resolution  and  skill  had  not  in 
the  least  abated.  And  it  is  not  singular  that  they 
were  forced  to  yield  the  contest.  However  lamenta- 
ble the  fact  that  they  did  succumb,  impartial  history 
must  do  them  justice,  and  state  that  they  did  all  that 
undisciplined  men  could  do,  regiment  vieing  with 
regiment,  and  man  with  man,  to  see  who  should 
longest  withstand  the  fierce  assaults  —  retreating, 
rallying,  reforming,  again  supporting  the  batteries 
of  Harris,  Stone,  and  Parsons,  together  vomiting 
forth  a  perfect  lava  of  bullets,  grape  and  canister, 
into  the  very  bosoms  of  the  advancing  host,  literally 
strewing  the  ground  with  the  bodies  of  dead  and 
mangled  victims. 

Jackson's  division  routed,  and,  flushed  with  the  deli- 


STAOT)    OF   THE   VETERANS.'  41 

rium  of  victory,  the  rebels  now,  under  the  lead  of 
Bragg  and  the  infamous  Buckner,  were  encouraged  to 
re-attack  Rousseau's  Spartan  band.  And  here  occurred 
one  of  the  bloodiest  passages  at  arms  recorded  in  the 
annals  of  time.  The  attack  was  made  on  the  devoted 
brigade  of  the  gifted  Lytle.  As  the  column  appeared 
from  behind  a  belt  of  timber  which  had  sheltered  it 
in  its  formation,  it  presented  a  most  beautiful  pag- 
eant. Long  lines  of  burnished  bayonets  gleamed 
brightly  in  the  already  setting  sun.  The  regimental 
flags,  with  their  fields  of  blue  and  single  stars,  waved 
proudly  in  the  air.  Their  leaders  and  their  staffs 
were  splendidly  mounted  on  spirited  white  horses, 
and  all  seemed  impatient  for  the  fray.  It  was  one 
of  those  sublime  spectacles — a  picture  of  the  "  pride, 
pomp,  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war"-— where, 
too  often,  horror,  woe,  and  death  finally  wraps  the 
scene  in  the  gloom  of  tragedy. 

Arriving  within  artillery  range,  the  enemy  planted 
two  batteries  and  opened  a  galling  fire  upon  the 
Third  Ohio  and  Forty-second  Indiana.  Their  infan- 
try advanced  steadily  under  cover  of  this  fire,  and 
when  within  close  musket  range,  poured  a  most  ter- 
rific fire  into  these  two  regiments.  They  stood  like 
a  rock  washed  by  an  ocean  tempest;  yes,  stood, 
although  nearly  one-half  of  their  number  strewed 
the  ground.  But  an  accident  compelled  them  -to. 
that  which  the  enemy  could  not.  A  large  barn  filled 
with  hay,  near  which  the  right  of  the  Third  Ohio 
rested,  took  fire,  and  in  a  moment  the  whole  was  in 


42  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

a  blaze.  The  heat  was  unendurable,  yet  the  heroes 
stood  their  ground  until  their  faces  were  blistered ; 
at  last  they  retired  to  the  foot  of  the  hill,  and  in 
doing  this  got  into  disorder.  The  Fifteenth  Kentucky, 
Colonel  Curran  Pope,  rushed  up  the  eminence,  to 
supply  its  place.  Immediately  it  was  greeted  with 
every  deadly  missile  of  war,  and  its  ranks  were  deci- 
mated ere  it  had  been  there  a  single  minute, — Lieu- 
tenant-ColonelJouettand  Major  Campbell  were  killed, 
and  Colonel  Pope  wounded.  It  retired,  but  rallied 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  The  forced  retreat  of  these 
regiments  uncovered  the  right  wing  of  the  Tenth 
Ohio,  and  a  brigade  of  rebels  approached  it.  under 
cover  of  the  crest  where  the  other  regiments  had 
been,  and  unawares  struck  that  command  in  flank 
and  rear,  almost  annihilating  it  ere  it  could  change 
front  and  repel  the  attack  from  so  unexpected  a 
quarter.  Lytle  had  expected  the  enemy  in  his  front, 
and  his  men  were  lying  down  behind  the  crest  of  the 

v          O 

hill,  and  he  intended  to  have  the  Tenth  charge  him 
with  the  bayonet,  as  he  came  over  the  ridge.  Oh  ! 
it  was  heart-rending  to  see  that  noble  regiment  thus 
compromised,  yea,  sacrificed ;  but  it  was  alone,  cut 
off  from  support,  and  Rousseau's  eagle  eye  was  else- 
where engaged,  cheering  the  men  on  the  left,  who  were 
beating  back  most  murderous  assaults.  The  heroes 
of  Carnifex  soon  received  a  withering  volley  from 
the  cat-like  foe,  and  leaping  to  their  feet,  unable  to 
form  line,  deliberately  walked  away.  Here  fell,  and 
it  was  thought,  mortally  wounded,  the  noble  Lytle, 


THE   FALL    OF   LYTLE.  43 

the  Chevalier  Bayard  of  Qhio.  One  of  his  sergeants 
lifted  him  in  his  arms,  and  strove  to  bear  him  off  the 
field.  "  You  may  do  some  good  yet,"  said  he ;  "  I 
can  do  no  more;  let  me  die  here."  He  was  left 
there,  and  was  captured  by  the  enemy;  but  he  did 
not  die.  God  reserved  him  to  fall  finally  in  such 
another  forlorn  hope  at  Chickamauga.  Hearing  of 
this  terrible  mishap,  and  with  his  great  heart  bleed- 
ing at  the  sacrifice,  Rousseau,  our  American  Murat, 
galloped  over  to  the  light  to  cheer  it  by  his  presence, 
and  assure  them  that,  though  left  alone,  they  were 
not  forgotten,  but  that  stern  necessity  had  compelled 
it.  He  found  Harris's  brigade  re-formed,  and  though 
few  in  numbers,  determined  to  perform  their  duty. 
While  here  he  saw  another  heavy  force  of  the  enemy 
bearing  directly  down  on  the  Fifteenth  Kentucky. 
On  approaching,  this  regiment  rose,  cheered,  and 
again  hastened  to  the  crest  of  the  hill,  where  it  was 
ordered  by  Rousseau  to  lie  down.  He  then  ordered 
Loomis  to  open  fire,  which  he  did  with  terrible  effect ; 
but  the  rebel  line  moved  straight  on,  its  broken  ranks 
closing  up  with  alacrity,  although  riddled  by  a  cross 
fire  from  the  Seventeenth  brigade. 

Rousseau's  heart  sank  within  him.  His  division 
had  been  incessantly  engaged  for -more  than  three 
hours,  losing  terribly ;  and  now,  tired  out  and  with 
almost  exhausted  cartridge-boxes,  it  must  stand  an- 
other trial  against  greatly  superior,  and  from  appear- 
ance, fresh  numbers.  Could  he  not  have  help  ?  Is 
there  no  one  to  come  to  the  rescue  ?  Gilbert  is  fight- 


44  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

ing,  but  are  his  forces  all.  engaged?  McCook  had 
sent  repeatedly  for  reinforcements,  but  none  came. 
Was  his  corps  to  be  sacrificed,  and  an  entire  army 
within  a  few  miles,  idly  lying  on  its  arms  ?  Thus  it 
seemed.  But  no !  Fortune  smiles  on  the  heroes ! 
Help  is  at  hand.  A  courier  announces  that  a  brigade 
from  Mitchell's  division  awaits  orders  for  action. 
Rousseau  hails  the  news  with  gladness,  withdraws 
Harris's  worn-out  men,  and  the  fresh  brigade,  Colonel 
Gooding's,  forms  its  line  of  battle  and  shows  what  it 
can  do.  Into  the  contest  it  hastened  like 

"  Many  a  stout  corps  that  went 
Full  ranked  from  camp  and  tent, 
And  brought  back  a  brigade  ;  . 
Like  many  a  brave  regiment 
That  mustered  only  a  squad." 

This  brigade  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  as 
follows. :  The  Twenty-second  Indiana  on  the  right, 
the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois  on  the  right,  and  the  SEVEN- 
TY-FIFTH ILLINOIS  in  the  center,  with  Pinney's  Fifth 
Wisconsin  Battery  on  an  eminence  in  the  rear,  bor- 
dered with  woods. 

Instantly  the  battle  raged  anew ;  nor  was  it  con- 
fined to  this  brigade ;  it  extended  along  the  entire 
line.  But  nowhere  did  it  rage  fiercer  than  here. 
The  roar  of  the  cannon  and  musketry  was  deafening ; 
the  earth  trembled  under  their  shock.  For  two 
hours  a  lurid  sheet  of  fire  blazed  between  the  oppos- 
ing lines,  hurling  destruction  into  each  other's  ranks. 


ACQUITTAL    OF   COLONEL   ETON.  45 

Fiercer  and  wilder  grew  the  contest,  and  almost  hand 
to  hand  they  fought  at  least  three  times  their  own 
number,  often  charging  upon  them  with  such  impet- 
uosity that  they  retired  weakened  by  the  deadly  fire. 
At  one  time  the  Twenty-second  Indiana  charged  on 
the  enemy  with  fixed  bayonets,  completely  routing 
them  from  their  position  on  the  right  of  the  brigade, 
but  at  the  same  time  a  reserve  force  attacked  them 
on  the  left,  in  which  the  Fifty-ninth  and  Seventy-fifth 
were  engaged,  and  with  great  desperation.  Soon  the 
Twenty-second  Indiana  lent  its  aid — and  then  fell  the 
gallant  Lieutenant-Colonel  Keith,  of  that  Regiment, 
and  Major  Kilgore,  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois.  The 
former  was  killed,  the  latter  most  dangerously 
wounded.  The  tenacity  with  which  the  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  ILLINOIS  maintained  the  conflict  in  the  centre  is 
worthy  of  all  praise.  Colonel  Ryon,  who  had  been 
arrested  for  neglect  in  not  having  the  Regiment  sup- 
plied with  ammunition  (unjustly  though  it  was), 
entered  the  ranks,  and  fought  side  }yy  side  with  his 
brave  men.  After  the  conflict  had  ended,  so  gallant 
was  his  conduct,  his  sword  was  restored  to  him,  and 
a  court  martial  convened  to  try  him  for  "  criminal 
negligence  in  not  supplying  his  regiment  with  ammu- 
nition," honorably  acquitted  him,  and  he  was  restored 
to  his  command. 

The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  fearful,  and  by  it  the 
hearts  of  hundreds  of  households  were  wrung  with 
anguish.  Among  the  many,  many  fallen,  were  Lieu- 
tenants Franklin  H.  Eels,  and  James  Blean,  killed  ; 


46  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Major  "W.  M.  Kilgore  ;  Captains  John  Whallon,  Wm. 
S.  Frost,  and  D.  M.  Eoberts  ;  Lieutenants  Edward  H. 
Barber,  Win.  H.  Thompson,  Robert  L.  Irwin,  and 
James  H.  Blodgett,  wounded.  Kilgore,  Roberts  and 
Irwin  were  supposed  to  be  mortally  hurt,  but  after 
long  suffering,  they  recovered  and  returned  to  duty. 
The  conduct  of  the  fated  Blean  was  most  noble, ' 
although  rash.  When  wounded,  he  refused  to  be 
carried  off  the  field,  saying,  "  I'll  take  care  of  myself. 
Fight  on ;  give  the  rebels  the  best  you  have." 
While  lying  on  the  ground,  just  in  rear  of  the  line  of 
battle,  whence  he  had  crawled,  he  was  again  wounded, 
and  died  the  next  day.  At  times  it  seemed  impossi- 
ble to  keep  the  men  in  line,  so  anxious  were  they  to 
win  a  reputation  for  good  fighting  ;  and,  doubtless, 
this  ambition  was  stimulated  by  the  sad  misfortune 
which  occurred  to  General  Jackson's  division  of  new 
troops.  They  would  advance  beyond  the  line,  in 
some  instances  several  rods,  and  there  remain,  sharp- 
shooting,  until  ordered  back.  Among  those  whose 
names  are  remembered,  are  Earnest  Wernick,  Daniel 
Burns,  and  Wm.  Armstrong,  of  Company  F.  Cor- 
poral D.  B.  Walker,  color  guard,  lost  here  his  right 
arm.  Another  instance  occurred  worthy  of  mention. 
Corporal  James  L.  Bracken  had  been  detailed  K  in 
charge  of  the  guard  for  the  regimental  baggage  train, 
some  five  miles  in  rear  of  the  battle-ground.  Hear- 
ing the  cannonade  and  musketry,  he  was  convinced 
a  fight  was  raging,  and  desired  to  participate  in  it. 
Asking  the  consent  of  the  Quartermaster,  Lieut.  J. 


THE   BEIGADE    EETIEES.  47 

E.  Remington,  he  was  refused.     Said  Bracken.  "  You 

O  '  ' 

had  better  let  me  go  :  I  must  go.  •  I  shall  desert  my 
post."  Finally  he  consented,  when  Bracken  double- 
quicked  it.  with  his  gun,  for  five  miles,  on  that  hot, 
dusty  day,  and  reached  the  regiment  just  as  it  was 
moving  into  line  of  battle  in  aid  of  Rousseau.  It  is 
needless  to  add,  that  then,  as  many  times  since,  he 
distinguished  himself  for  bravery  and  soldierly 
bearing. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Bennett,  commanding  the  regi- 
ment, behaved  with  great  gallantry,  winning  men- 
tion in  the  reports  of  superior  officers.  His  horse 
was  shot  from  under  him,  but  he  himself  remained 
unhurt.  The  other  officers  did  their  duty  faithfully, 
and  well,  so  far  as  I  know,  displaying  true  mettle. 
And  too  much  praise  cannot  be  given  the  men,  for 
their  behavior  in  this,  their  first  rencontre  with  the 
foe.  Some  captured  rebels,  speaking  of  this  brigade, 
said,  "  We  should  have  routed  you,  if  it  had  not  been 
for  those  regulars.  They  fought  like  devils."  Forty- 
three  were  left  dead  on  the  field,  and  nine  mortally 
wounded,  besides  one  hundred  and  fifty  more  who 
received  hospital  treatment,  many  of  whom  were  dis- 
charged as  unfit  for  further  service.  Twelve  were 
also  taken  prisoners.  The  brigade  commander,  Col- 
onel Gooding,  being  taken  prisoner  in  the  heat  of 
the  action,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bennett,  being  senior 
officer  in  the  brigade,  reformed  it,  in  its  second  line 
of  battle,  and  led  it  off  the.  field.  Night  came  on, 
and  the  battle  ended.  Now  the  horrors  of  the  car- 


48  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

nage  began  to  be  realized.  All  through  the  night 
the  unfortunate  soldiers  were  brought  from  the  field, 
as  fast  as  they  could  be  found,  by  dint  of  the  callings 
and  gropings  of  Samaritan  comrades.  All  night  the 
surgeons  unceasingly  worked  in  dressing  their 
wounds.  And  here  Surgeon  George  W.  Phillips,  of 
this  regiment — now  brigade-surgeon,  as  Dr.  Hazlitt 
had  been  killed  during  the  action — and  Assistant-Sur- 
geon John  C.  Corbus,  I  believe,  rendered  most  effi- 
cient service,  the  former  being  in  charge  of  the  ampu- 
tation cases  in  one  of  the  field  hospitals.  To  those 
who  labored  so  faithfully,  the  country  owes  a  debt  of 
gratitude. 

The  entire  loss  to  us  in  the  action  is  not  known  to 
the  author ;  but  from  statistics  such  as  he  has,  it  is 
eight  hundred  and  seventy-eight  killed,  two  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  sixty-one  wounded,  and  two 
hundred  and  five  prisoners ;  making  a  total  loss  of 
three  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-four  men. 
Two-thirds  of  this  loss  was  in  Rousseau's  division 
alone.  Such  was  the  battle  of  Chaplin  Hills.  In  it 
the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois  received  honorable  mention. 
Major-General  McCook  says  of  the  brigade:  "Good- 
ing's  gallant  attack,  assisted  by  Pinney's  Battery, 
drove  back  the  enemy  and  re-occupied  the  position 
of  Russell's  house."  General  Mitchell  says:  "The 
Seventy-fifth  Illinois,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ben- 
nett, having  a  reputation  to  gain  as  soldiers,  nobly 
did  the  work  before  them."  And  Major-General 
Rousseau,  speaking  of  the  brigade  which  reinforced 


THE  PERIL  OF  THE  COUNTRY.          49 

• 

him  in  his  hour  of  extreme  peril,  says :  "  The  rein- 
forcements were  from  Mitchell's  division,  as  I  under- 
stood, and  were  *  Pea  Ridge  men.'  I  wish  I  knew 
who  commanded  the  brigade,  that  I  might  do  him 
justice;  I  can  only  say  that  the  brigade  moved 
directly  into  the  fight  like  true  soldiers,  and  opened 
a  terrific  fire,  and  drove  back  the  enemy." 

The  noblest  manhood  and  youth  in  the  counties  of 
Lee  and  "Whiteside  had  gone  forth  in  this  regiment 
to  battle,  and  how  many,  alas !  never  to  return.  The 
day  is  not  far  distant,  whenHhe  pen  of  the  historian, 
delving  among  the  records  of  the^army,  and  gleaning 
from  the  secret  springs  of  action  the  true  causes 
which  led  to  the  criminal  neglect  of  McCook  and 
Rousseau,  in  their  direst  peril,  will  stamp  the  seal  of 
damnation  upon  the  guilty  ones. 

But  our  individual  loss  is  our  beloved  country's 
gain.  Such  is  the  sacrifice  that  a  wrathful  but  just 
God  demands  for  our  Nation's  boon.  Then 

"  Enduring  Valor  lifts  his  head 
To  count  the  flying  and  the  dead  ; 
Returning  Virtue  still  maintains 
The  right  to  break  unhallowed  chains  ; 
While  sacred  Justice,  born  of  God, 
Walks  regnant  o'er  the  bleeding  sod." 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PURSUIT    OF   BRAGG ITS     ABANDONMENT,    AND    MARCH 

UPON  BOWLING  GREEN  AND  NASHVILLE REORGAN- 
IZATION OF  THE  ARMY POSITION  AROUND  NASH- 
VILLE. 

UPON  the  repulse  of  Bragg' s  forces,  on  the  8th  of 
October,  he  evacuated  his  position,  and  pushed  north 
to  Harrodsburg,  apparently  to  occupy  a  stronger 
position,  and  again  face  Buell's  troops;  but  after 
making  a  demonstration,  as  if  to  attack  us,  he  retired 
to  Camp  Dick  Robinson,  at  the  junction  of  Dick's 
and  the  Kentucky  rivers.  Heavy  reconnoissances 
were  made  to  ascertain  whether  all  the  rebel  forces 
had  crossed  this  river,  and  it  proved  they  had ;  but 
it  was  yet  unknown  whether  the  enemy  intended  to 
offer  battle  in  his  new  position.  On  the  12th  of 
October  the  different  columns  encamped  on  and  near 
the  battle  ground  were  set  in  motion,  with  the  evi- 
dent intention  of  turning  his  position  at  Camp  Dick 
Robinson,  and  compelling  him  to  accept  battle  on 
less  favorable  ground.  On  the  night  of  the  13th  of 
October,  it  was  ascertained  beyond  a  doubt,  that 


BRAGG' s  DISTRUST  OF  HIMSELF. 

Bragg  was  evacuating  his  stronghold,  and  moving 
southward.  General  Buell  tardily  ordered  pursuit. 
The  corps  of  Generals  Crittenden  and  McCook  pur- 
sued by  way  of  Stanford  and  Crab  Orchard,  and 
General  Gilbert's  corps  by  way  of  Lancaster  and 
Crab  Orchard.  The  enemy's  rear  guard  was  finally 
overtaken  and  severely  pressed  until  reaching  Lou- 
don  ;  then  all  conflict  ended. 

At  Lancaster,  the  thirtieth  brigade  engaged  the 
enemy's  cavalry  in  a  lively  skirmish,  which  was  of 
short  duration.  During  its  progress,  however,  a  bat- 
tefy  of  ours  rushed  to  the  front,  to  gain  position  on 
an  eminence,  whence  it  could  open  fire ;  but  a  force 
of  the  enemy  hitherto  unseen,  chanced  to  occupy  it, 
and  opened  on  the  artillerymen,  driving  them  back. 
In  their  retreat,  one  of  the  guns  ran  foul  of  a  tree, . 
breaking  the  pole,  and  they  abandoned  it.  Captain 
Watson,  with  several  members  of  his  Company,  A, 
went  forward,  hauled  the  piece  to  the  rear,  and  saved 
it.  Captain  Altman,  of  Company  C,  was  severely 
wounded,  the  only  one  injured  in  the  Seventy-fifth. 

Having  arrived  at  Crab  Orchard,  and  the  pursuit 
being  now  abandoned,  the  troops  rested  for  four- 
days  on  Logan's  Creek  near  Hall's  Gap.  The  rebel 
army  had  made  good  its  escape.  After  a  long  and 
weary  march,  endured  for  the  permanent  occupation 
of  Kentucky,  after  one  sanguinary  battle,  and  a  re- 
pulse, Bragg  distrusted  his  own  success,  was  fearful 
of  his  own  safety,  and  abandoning  all  his  lofty  re- 
solves for  the  conquest  and  the  subjugation  of  the 


52  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

North,  retreated  through  Cumberland  Gap  to  Mid- 
dle Tennessee.  Bra^sr  omitted  the  grand  essential  of 

oo  o 

success  in  his  plan  when  at  Munfordsville,  as  his 
forces  were  between  our  army  and  the  Ohio  river, 
that  he  did  not  attack  us.  Had  he  defeated  General 
Buell  then,  his  success,  for  a  time  at  least,  would 
have  been  insured.  Had  he  been  defeated,  he  still 
had  open  to  him  the  means  of  retreat.  He  neglected 
to  strike  at  the  opportune  moment,  and  from  that 
point  final  victory  clearly  rested  with  our  arms. 

On   the   19th   of  October,  General   Buell   as;ain 

* 
ordered  an  advance.     It  was  essential  that  our  forces 

should  occupy  Bowling  Green,  Nashville,  and  Mur- 
freesboro  in  advance  of  Bragg,  or  the  safety  of  the 
garrison  at  Nashville,  under  Generals  Palmer,  Neg- 
ley  and  Miller,  would  be  jeopardized,  and  Middle 
Tennessee  again  be  overrun  with  the  rebel  hosts. 
The  army  therefore  countermarched,  once  more  pass- 
ing through  Stanford,  Danville  and  Perry ville. 
Thence  it  proceeded  toward  Lebanon,  and  across 
the  North  Rolling  Fork.  On  the  24th  of  October  it 
crossed  the  Rolling  Fork,  passing  through  New  Mar- 
ket, and  to  the  vicinity  of  Saloma.  Here,  for  the 
first  time,  the  army  trains  joined  the  troops ;  and 
they  could  not  have  arrived  more  seasonably,  for  the 
next  day  there  was  a  heavy  fall  of  snow,  and  the 
weather  became  intensely  cold.  It  was  the  first 
severe  symptom  of  the  coming  winter.  The  march 
was  now  steadily  southward.  On  the  31st  of  Octo- 
ber the  regiment  arrived  at  Bowling  Green. 


REORGANIZATION   OF    THE    ARMY.  53 

At  this  place,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  the 
General-in-Chief,  dated  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  Octo- 
ber 21st,  General  Buell,  on  the  30th  instant,  turned 
over  the  command  of  the  army  to  General  Rosecrans. 
On  that  occasion  he  addressed  a  well-written  fare- 
well order  to  his  troops.  But  the  change  in  com- 
manders caused  no  delay  at  Bowling  Green.  The 
army  moved  on  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  reaching  that 
city  on  the  Vth  of  November.  The  troops  mostly 
encamped  on  the  Edgefield  side  of  the  river.  Regi- 
ments were  left  along  the  line  of  the  Louisville  rail- 
road to  protect  communications  to  Mitchell ville,  be- 
low which  they  had  been  badly  damaged  by  John 
^Morgan's  raids.  From  Mitchellville  to  Nashville,  a 
distance  of  nearly  forty  miles,  all  supplies  must  be 
hauled  in  wagons,  until  the  road  could  be  repaired, 
which  would  require  at  least  one  month.  The  Ninth 
Division  remained  encamped  at  Edgefield  until  the 
27th  of  November,  when  it  moved  six  miles  out  on 
the  Nolensville  turnpike,  and  established  camp  on 
the  left  of  the  road,  connecting  it  with  General 
McCook's  Corps. 

On  the  7th  of  November,  General  Rosecrans  issued 
orders  for  a  reorganization  of  the  army.  General 
George  H.  Thomas  was  assigned  the  command  of  the 
center,  composed  of  the  Divisions  of  Rousseau,  Neg- 
ley,  Dumont,  Fry  and  Palmer. 

General  McCook  was  assigned  the  right  wing — the 
Divisions  of  Generals  Sill,  Jeff.  C.  Davis,  and  Sheri- 
dan. 


54  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

General  Crittenden  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
left  wing — the  Divisions  of  Generals  Wood  and  Van 
Cleve.  ' 

General  Buell  had  intended  to  push  the  troops 
straight  on  to  Murfreesboro,  thirty  miles  south  of 
Nashville,  thereby  compelling  ..Bragg  to  fall  back  to 
his  original  position  at  Chattanooga — an  object  which 
would  doubtless  have  been  consummated  had  Gen- 
eral Rosecrans  moved  to  the  same  point.  It  is  prob- 
able that  the  reduced  condition  of  the  army,  the 
length  of  his  line  of  communication,  and  the  difficul- 
ties involved  in  the  necessary  transportation  of  sup- 
plies by  wagon  trains,  determined  him,  for  a  time  at 
least,  to  remain  at  Nashville.  Again  :  the  situation 
of  the  rebel  army  was  not  clearly  defined.  Bragg 
had  the  advantage  of  a  powerful  cavalry  arm, 
which  was  ever  on  our  front,  and  vigilant,  and  be- 
hind this  cover  the  rebel  commander  manoeuvred  his 
troops  and  perfected  his  plans.  Information  of  a 
positive  character  was  soon  obtained,  however,  and 
the  army  settled  into  the  quietude  of  camp. 

•  The  front  of  our  army  was  rapidly  formed.  A 
small  stream,  called  Mill  Creek,  with  abrupt  banks, 
and  lined  with  a  thick  growth  of  bushes  and  cane- 
brake,  extended  its  entire  length,  and  constituted  a 
strong  natural  fosse,  or  intrenchment.  While  en- 
camped in  front  of  Nashville,  the  Federal  lines  were 
frequently  assailed  by  the  rebel  cavalry,  and  our  for- 
age trains  were  often  attacked,  but  we  never  lost 
transportation  thereby.  The  Seventy-fifth,  although 


DESIGNATION    OP   BEIGADES.  5-D 

often  out  as  guard,  never  was  engaged  with  the 
enemy. 

On  the  19th  of  December  the  army  was  again  re- 
organized, i 

The  NINTH  DIVISION  was  consequently  designated 
as  the  FIRST  DIVISION,  Right  Wing,  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  The  brigades  of  the  Division  were 
thus  designated: 

First  Brigade  (old  Thirtieth),  Colonel  P.  Sidney 
Post. 

Second  Brigade  (old  Thirty -first),  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral William  P.  Carlin. 

Third  Brigade  (old  Thirty-second),  Colonel  W.  E. 
Woodruff. 

The  soldiers,  thankful  for  the  appreciation  of  their 
services  by  the  country,  rapidly  recuperated  their 
worn-out  energies,  and  were  soon  in  a  better  condi- 
tion than  ever  before,  and  only  awaited  the  trum- 
pet's blast  to  summon  them  to  battle. 


CHAPTER    V 


ADVANCE    ON   MURFREESBORO THE    BATTLE    OF    STONE 

RIVER GALLANTRY     OF    THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH RE- 
TREAT   OF   THE    REBELS.  [ 

THE  movement  upon  the  enemy  at  Murfreesboro 
commenced  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1862.  The  announcement  was  made  on  Christ- 
mas night,  and  was  greeted  by  the  troops  with  a 
wild,  shrill  clamor,  which  bespoke  willing  hearts  and 
the  assurance  of  victory.  The  day  dawned  drearily. 
Thick  volumes  of  mist  hugged  the  valleys,  and  dense 
masses  of  black  clouds  overhung  the  heavens.  Soon 
the  reveille  rolled  through  the  cordon  of  drowsy 
camps  encircling  Nashville,  and  then  all  was  activity 
and  life. 

Bragg  did  not  expect  Rosecrans  to  make  a  winter 
campaign,  but  supposed  he  had  established  winter 
quarters  on  the  line  of  Mill  Creek ;  and  therefore 
had  settled  his  at  Murfreesboro.  Hugging  this  de- 
lusion to  his  bosom,  he  had  sent  a  large  force  of  his 

cavalry,  under  Forrest,  into  West  Tennessee,  to  har- 

i 


PLAN   OF   ATTACK.  57 

rass  General  Grant,  and  another,  under  Morgan,  into 
Kentucky,  to  destroy  Rosecrans'  communications. 
The  absence  of  this  powerful  arm  of  the  rebel  service 
was  deemed  by  General  Rosecrans  the  opportune 
occasion  for  striking  a  blow.  Positive  information 
was  had  that  the  forces  of  Polk  and  Kirby  Smith 
were  at  Murfreesboro,  and  that  Hardee' s  Corps  was 
on  the  Shelbyville  and  Nolensville  pikes,  between 
Triune  and  Eaglesville.  The  army  therefore  moved 
in  three  columns,  to  wit: 

McCook,  by  the  Nolensville  pike,  to  Triune. 

Thomas,  on  McCook' s  right,  down  the  Franklin 
and  Wilson  pikes,  threatening  Hardee's  right,  and 
then  to  fall  in  by  the  crossroads  to  Nolensville. 

Crittenden,  down  the  Murfreesboro  pike,  to  La 
Vergne. 

With  Thomas's  command  at  Nolensville,  McCook 
was  to  attack  Hardee  at  Triune,  and  if  the  enemy 
reinforced  Hardee,  Thomas  was  to  support  McCook. 

If  McCook  beat  Hardee,  or  Hardee  retreated,  and 
the  enemy  attacked  us  at  Stewart's  Creek,  Critten- 
den was  to  fight  him.  Thomas  was  to  come  in  on 
the  left  flank,  and  McCook,  after  detaching  a  division 
to  pursue  or  observe  Hardee,  if  retreating  southward, 
was  to  move  with  his  two  remaining  divisions  on  his 
rear. 

At  six  o'.clock,  General  Davis's  Division  moved 
down  the  Edmonson  pike,  to  Prim's  blacksmith  shop, 
and  thence  by  a  dirt  road  to  Nolensville,  with  Gene- 
ral Johnson's  Division  in  the  rear.  The  dirt  roads 


58  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

traveled  by  our  troops,  especially  that  taken  by 
Davis' s  Division  from  the  blacksmith  shop,  were  very 
rugged,  and  almost  impassable,  for  it  rained  inces- 
santly, and  in  torrents,  all  the  day ;  but  the  prospect 
of  meeting  the  foe  cheered  our  men,  and  their  enthu- 
siasm increased  as  the  barometer  fell.  They  mani- 
fested the  disposition  soldiers  ought  when  going  into 
danger — their  hearts  full  of  confidence.  The  enemy 
was  encountered1  within  about  ten  miles  of  Mill  Creek, 
but  was  easily  driven  by  Davis' s  escort.  When  with- 
in a  mile  of  Nolensville,  Davis  ascertained  that  the 
town  was  occupied  in  force  by  rebel  infantry,  cavalry 
and  artillery.  He  prepared  for  action.  His 'first 
brigade,  consisting  of  the  Twenty-second  Indiana, 
Fifty-ninth,  Seventy-fourth,  and  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLI- 
NOIS, an,d  Pinney's  Fifth  Wisconsin  Battery,  under 
command  of  Colonel  P.  Sydney  Post,  was  imme- 
diately deployed  for  an  advance  upon  the  town. 
The  battery  was  posted  so  as  to  command  the  town, 
and  all  approaches  from  the  south-west.  At  this 
time  the  rebel  cavalry  took  position  on  a  range  of 
hills  south-west  of  the  town,  to  flank  Da  vis's  position. 
A  rebel  battery  also  opened  fire  upon  Post's  Brigade. 
Pinney's  Battery  silenced  the  enemy's  guns,  and 
caused  his  cavalry  to  fall  back  beyond  the  town. 
Davis's  second  brigade,  Colonel  W.  P.  Carlin,  com- 
manding, formed  its  line  of  battle  on  Post's  right. 
His  third  brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  W.  E. 
Woodruff,  was  deployed  on  the  right  of  Carlin,  to 
check  any  effort  to  turn  the  right  flank  of  his  line. 


THE   ENEMY    COMPLETELY    EOUTED.  59 

The)7  advanced  in  splendid  style,  considering  the 
depth  of  mud  to  be  waded  through  the  ;  skirmishers 
driving  everything  before  them.  Post's  Brigade 
pushed  for  Triune — Pinney's  Battery  on  the  pike, 
the  Twenty-second  Indiana  and  the  Seventy-fourth 
Illinois  on  the;right  of  the  pike,  and  the  Fifty-ninth 
and  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  on  the  left.  The  enemy 
was  posted  in  a  position  of  great  natural  strength, 
some  two  miles  below  the  town,  at  a  place  called 
Knob's  Gap,  his  line  resting  on  the  hills  both  to  the 
right  and  the  left  of  the  pike,  with  one  section  on  the 
road,  and  the  remainder  near  it.  The  rebels  opened 
at  long  range ;  but  our  line,  undaunted,  moved 
straight  on,  and  soon  Pinney,  from  a  knob  on  the  left 
of  the  road,  opened  at  short  range  with  his  guns, 
while  Post's  Brigade,  moving  with  the  steadiness  of 
automatons,  carried  the  heights  in  its  front,  compel- 
ing  the  enemy  to  abandon  one  of  his  guns.  Hotch- 
*kiss'  Battery  also  opened  a  steady  fire,  while  Carlin's 
Brigade  carried  the  heights  on  the  right  of  the  road,, 
charging  the  battery  direct,  capturing  two  of  the 
guns,  and,  in  cooperation  with  Post,  completely  rout- 
ing the  enemy  from  his  position.  Woodruff's  Brig- 
ade, meantime,  had  driven  the  enemy  upon  the  ex- 
treme right,  and  thus  maintained  our  line  intact. 
This  success  stimulated  the  men  to  new  energy  and 
daring.  They  frequently  broke  out  in  loud  cheers, 
which  were  taken  up  by  each  regiment  in  turn,  and 
echoed  in  strong  reverberations  among  the  hills. 
At  daylight  On  the  26th,  the  corps  again  moved 


60  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

forward,  the  cavalry  under  command  of  General 
Stanley,  in  the  advance,  followed  by  General  John- 
son's Division,  Sheridan  closely  supporting,  with 
Davis  in  the  rear.  A  wintry  fog  covered  the  coun- 
try, so  that  only  the  most  prominent  points  could  be 
seen,  making  a  successful  movement  of  troops  a  diffi- 
cult undertaking.  When  a  mile  or  so  advanced,  a 
large  force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  supported  by 
artillery,  opened  on  our  cavalry.  The  skirmish  grow- 
ing animated,  Kirk's  Brigade  pushed  forward,  and 
soon  compelled  the  enemy  to  retire.  When  some 
half  mile  from  Triune,  the  enemy  was  found  strongly 
posted,  and  another  sharp  skirmish  ensued,  in  which 
the  Twenty-ninth  Indiana  and  the  Thirty-fourth  Illi- 
nois, of  General  Kirk's  Brigade,  charged  a  rebel  bat- 
tery, but  the  artillerists  did  not  stand  to  receive  the 
shock. 

Night  coming  on,  the  troops  bivouacked  one  mile 
south  of  Triune.  The  rain  had  descended  in  tor- . 
rents  the  greater  part  of  the  day,  making  marching 
still  more  tedious.  Here  the  corps  encamped  during 
the  28th,  awaiting  the  developments  of  the  enemy  on 
Thomas's  and  Crittenden's  fronts.  Meantime  a  re- 
connoissance  was  made  by  General  Willich,  in  the 
direction  of  Shelbyville,  and  developed  the  fact  that 
Hardee's  forces  had  retreated  to  Murfreesboro.  Gen- 
eral Thomas's  Divisions  met  no  resistance,  and  arrived 
at  Nolensville  on  the  27th.  Crittenden's  Corps  drove 
the  enemy  from  La  Vergne,  and  charged  him  at 
Stewart's  Creek,  saving  the  bridge— a  very  impor- 


if 
FORMATION   OF   OUR   LINES.  61 

tant  one  to  us.  Here  the  left  wing  rested  during  the 
28th,  also.  Thus,  on  this  day,  the  army  was  at  rest, 
while  the  Commanding  General  perfected  .his  plans 
for  further  movement. 

On  the  29th  of  December  the  army  was  again  in 
motion,  the  right  wing  on  the  Bulle  Jack  road,  which 
leads  into  the  Wilkinson  and  Murfreesboro  pike. 
Davis's  Division  again  led  the  advance,  Sheridan  at 
close  support.  The  next  day  the  entire  corps  crossed 
Stewart's  Creek,  and  encamped  for  the  night  at 
Overall's  Creek,  three  and  one  half  miles  from  Mur- 
freesboro. 

It  was  now  definitely  known  that  the  rebels  would 
make  a  stand  in  front  of  Murfreesboro.  The  30th 
was  to  see  our  army  in  position,  and  the  next  day 
was  to  become  memorable  in  the  annals  of  our  land, 
as  the  beginning  of  a  combat,  fearful  in  its  intensity 
and  frightful  in  its  losses,  and  yet  ineffectually  tell- 
ing on  the  fortunes  of  the  rival  republics,  under  whose 
banners  the  armies  so  desperately  fought. 

Crittenden  was  first  in  line  of  battle  on  this  day. 
Sturdy  Thomas  came  in  next,  joining  his  lines  on  the 
right  of  Palmer ;  the  chivalrous  Rousseau  lying  as  re- 
serve to  Negley.  General  Sheridan,  after  stubborn 
fighting,  arrived  opposite  to  Negley,  and  established 
his  line  of  battle  on  the  right  of  the  Wilkinson  pike. 
Woodruff's  Brigade  moved  to  the  front  with  much 
steadiness,  driving  the  rebels  out  of  the  timber  in  his 
front,  and  joining  General  Sill's  right.  Carlin  stead- 
ily pressed  the  enemy  in  his  front,  but  as  he  was 


I 

62  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

establishing  his  line,  the  enemy  opened  on  his  right 
with  a  terrific  fire  of  round  shot  and  shell,  and  the 
Twenty-first  Illinois,  galled  into  madness,  charged  the 
battery,  but  meeting  an  infantry  force,  and  being  mur- 
derously used,  was  compelled  to  fall  back  to  the  brig- 
ade. Post's  Brigade,  with  the  Seventy-fourth  and 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  deployed  on  the  skirmish 
line,  uiujer  command  of  Captain  Hale,  acting  Major 
of  the  Seventy-fifth,  was  still  further  on  the  right, 
and  then  constituting  the  extreme  right  of  the  army. 
They  moved  to  the  aid  of  the  Twenty-first  Illinois ; 
but  in  crossing  a  deep  ravine,  were  also  opened  on 
with  shell  and  canister,  and  compelled,  first  to  lie 
down,  and  then  to  retreat.  The  Twenty-second  Indi- 
ana was  protecting  the  right  flank  from  the  enemy's 
cavalry, 'while  the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois  supported  Pin- 
ney's  Battery.  Captain  Hale  here  displayed  great 
gallantry,  and  excellent  judgment.  He  was  wounded 
through  the  fleshy  part  of  his  leg,  and  had  a  horse 
shot  under  him  during  this  affair.  Several  in  the 
Seventy-fifth  were  here  wounded,  but  as  their  names 
are  not  designated  as  such  on  this  particular  day, 
they  must  come  under  the  aggregate  for  the  battle. 
Post's  Brigade  in  line,  Kirk  and  Willich  joined  him, 
thus  completing  the  battle  order. 

Across  the  narrow  valley  which  extended  along 
our  front  was  posted  the  rebel  army,  in  order  of  bat- 
tle ;  its  right  wing  resting  .upon  heights  on  the  east 
bank  of  Stone  river,  intersecting  the  river  parallel  to 
our  left  front ;  the  center  extending  along  a  ridge, 


THE  NIGHT  BEFOEE  THE  BATTLE.        63 

through  cotton  fields  and  timber,  which  sloped  grad- 
ually toward  our  center ;  its  left  wing  tracing  the 
crest  of  a  rough  and  rocky  ridge,  partially  screened 
by  timber,  and  terminating  some  half  mile  south  of 
the  Franklin  turnpike. 

The  30th  of  December  had  been  a  dreary  day. 
Rain  had  fallen  almost  constantly,  and  the  soldiers 
Avere  saturated  with  water.  Toward  night  the  wind 
swept  coldly  from  the  north,  and  as  no  bivouac  fires 
were  allowed  on  the  real  front,  the  aspect  was  truly 
cheerless.  At  midnight  the  stars  faintly  twinkled 
through  the  cloud-rifts  which  still  hung  heavily  over- 
head, portentous  of  rain.  Within  half  a  mile  of  each 
other  lay  two  mighty  armies,  in  the  most  perfect 
silence,  waiting  for  the  morning's  light,  to  rush  to- 
gether in  the  deadly  rencontre.  Peace  then  ruled 
supreme — 

"  The  forests'  fretted  aisle, 
And  leafy  domes  above  them  bent 
And  solitude — 
So  eloquent !" 

The  contest  began  at  break  of  day,  on  Wednes- 
day, the  31st  of  December,  by  a  most  audacious  at- 
tack on  Johnson's  Division,  and  another  almost  simul- 
taneously on  Sheridan's ;  then  another  on  Davis's. 
On  Johnson's  tront — on  the  devoted  brigades  of 
Kirk  and  Willich — was  massed  more  than  half  of  the 
rebel  army,  under  McCown,  Cheatham  and  Clai- 
borne.  It  was  a  most  desperate  struggle,  and  re- 


64  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

suited  in  the  immediate  discomfiture  of  Johnson's 
men,  in  the  death  wound  of  the  gallant  and  gifted 
Kirk,  and  in  the  capture  of  the  brave  old  Willich. 
Captain  Pinney  stood  by  his  guns  in  a  perfect  frenzy 
of  impatience  to  open  on  the  enemy  as  he  passed  in 
front  of  Davis' s  pickets ;  but  as  his  object  could  not, 
in  the  dim  light,  be  clearly  discerned,  he  was  not 
permitted  to  fire.  It  was  a  sad  mistake  ;  for  as  the 
enemy  moved  by  the  flank,  within  rifle  shot,  Pinney 
could  have  dealt  death  in  his  ranks,  and  aided  by 
Post's  Brigade,  all  of  whom  were  anxious  for  the 
fray,  the  tide  of  battle  might  have  been  turned,  and 
the  dreadful  disaster  which  occurred  to  the  right 
wing  prevented,  or  at  least  stayed  until  better  pre- 
pared for  the  attack.  The  retreat  of  Johnson's 
Division  left  .Post's  Brigade  exposed  to  a  flank  move- 
ment, which  the  enemy  was  now  rapidly  executing, 
and  compelled  it  to  fall  back  and  partially  change 
front.  In  the  execution  of  this  movement,  Compa- 
nies E  and  H,  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Blodgett,  were  on  the  picket 
line,  and  he  received  instructions  to  contest  the  rebel 
advance  as  skirmishers.  The  tide  of  battle  pushed 
back  so  rapidly  as  to  leave  these  companies  so  far  in 
the  advance  that  some  of  Carlin's  Brigade, — already 
furiously  engaged  by  another  force  of  the  enemy, 
which  had  obliqued  to  the  left  from  its  attack  on 
Johnson, — mistook  it  for  a  rebel  force,  dimly  seen 
through  the  trees  and  bushes,  and  fired  into  it  a  ter- 
rible volley,  fortunately  doing  but  little  damage. 


A   GALLANT   RESISTANCE.  .         65 

They  finally  withdrew  to  the  regiment.  The  brig- 
ade kept  falling  back,  changing  front  three  times,  so 
that  now  its  line  of  battle  was  perpendicular  to  its 
original  formation.  At  last,  stationed  behind  a 
fence  in  the  edge  of  the  timber,  it  awaited  the  rebel 
onset.  Davis's  troops  resisted  the  terrible  battle- 
shock  of  the  enemy  for  some  time ;  but  at  length 
they  were  compelled  to  give  way.  Nearly  one  fourth 
of  their  number  lay  either  dead  or  wounded  on  the 
ensanguined  field,  proving  how  determined  their  re- 
sistance had  l^gen.  But  again  and  again,  Johnson's 
troops,  though  stubbornly  fighting,  constantly  give 
way ;  and  as  the  right  doubles  back  on  the  center, 
Davis  is  forced  to  retire  also ;  each  tree  in  the  belt 
of  timber  furnishes  a  temporary  shelter,  and  not 
until  an  enfilade  fire  weakened  the  line,  would  they 
leave  their  position.  Again  it  fell  back  across  a 
large  cotton  field,  and  here  a  most  determined  resist* 
ance  was  made. "  Here  Captain  Pinney  was  mortally 
wounded  while  serving  his  own  guns,  and  mowing 
huge  roadways  through  the  rebel  ranks.  He  waa 
left  on  the  field  where  his  gallant  deeds  were  done. 
Here  the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois  received  magnificently 
a  charge  of  the  enemy,  and  with  fixed  bayonets  held 
him  at  bay.  During  this  retreat  Captain  Hale  was 
wounded  in  the  hip  by  a  splinter  from  his  sabre-blade, 
which  was  knocked  out  by  a  rebel  bullet.  This 
compelled  him  to  leave  the  field.  Here,  too,  dashed 
up  a  mounted  officer,  very  near  the  Seventy-fifth's 
line,  as  if  to  give  an  order,  and  was  supposed  to  be 
5 


66  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

one  of  our  own  Generals  until  a  gust  of  wind  blew 
back  his  overcoat,  disclosing  his  uniform,  when  he 
was  found  to  be  a  rebel.  Several  muskets  were  in- 
stantly leveled  on  him ;  he  escaped  unharmed,  and 
disappeared  in  the  cedars.  The  rebel  tide  'again 
surged  onward,  and  backward  flow  Davis's  brigades. 
Now  they  near  the  Murfreesboro  pike,  which  inter- 
sects the  battle  ground,  and  is  the  key  to  the  posi- 
tion, for  on  it  are 'all  the  Federal  supply  and  ammu- 
nition trains.  These  captured,  our  doom  would  be 
sealed,  and  victory  inevitably  perch  on  the  rebel 
banners.  The  enemy,  thus  far,  had  been  each  time 
repulsed  on  Davis's  and.  Sheridan's  front ;  »but  his 
heavy  turning  columns  so  completely  enveloped  the 
right,  that  the  positions  could  not  be  maintained. 
They  had  fallen  back  full  a  mile  and  a  half.  It  was 
now  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  while  the  furious 
onset  was  commenced  at  a  little  after  six  in  the  morn- 
ing. Eight  hours  of  conflict,  with  a  foe  so  over- 
whelming, proves  of  itself  that  there  was  no  disgrace- 
ful panic,  such  as  some  cowardly  newspaper  reporters 
back  at  Nashville  had  stated,  thereby  stigmatizing 
with  shame  the  fair  name  of  our  soldiers,  and  depriv- 
ing them  of  their  most  valued  jewel — honor.  It  was 
a  serious  question  now,  whether  this  position — the 
last  one  which  our  army  could  hope  to  take — could 
be  held.  Johnson's  .Division  was  already  there, 
nearly  in  prolongation  of  Davis's  line,  and  fighting 
with  the  desperation  of  despair.  And,  happily  for 
him,  his  gallant  division,  the  first  to  be  compromised, 


SCENE   AFTEE   THE   BATTLE.  67 

was  now  the  first,  aside  from  the  pugnacious  Eous- 
seau,  to  hurl  back  'the  enemy  with  a  force  which  de- 
moralized him  completely.  Davis,  seeing  this,  and 
seeing  the  enemy,  who  had  so  terribly  menaced  his 
own  front,  again  moving  upon  his  decimated  brig- 
ades, in  columns  of  battalion  front,  four  battalions 
deep,  resolved  to  imitate  Johnson,  and  crush  him, 
if  it  were  a  human  possibility.  And  here,  most 
opportunely,  other  help  arrived.  Negley's  and  Rous- 
seau's Divisions  came  upon  the  ground.  Boldly  the 
foe  marched  up ;  short  but  desperately  bloody  "was 
the  struggle.  A  dazzling  sheet  of  flame  burst  from 
the  firm  ranks  of  our  heroes,  which  quickly  shivered 
their  lines,  and  aided  by  several  batteries  which  now 
opened  with  terrific  roar,  shaking  the  very  earth, 
crushed  into  flying  fragments  his  solid  masses ;  and 
thus,  for  the  right  wing,  ended  the  battle  for  this 
day.  The  scene  now  presented  was  awful. .  The 
smoke  of  battle  had  lifted,  and  the  field  could  again 
be  surveyed.  The  ground  was  literally  covered  with 
the  dead  and  wounded,  friend  and  foe,  cruelly  man- 
gled, scores  of  horses,  broken  gun  carriages  and  cais- 
sons. Davis' s  troops,  ribw  exhausted  in  ammunition 
and  in  strength,  were  relieved,  and  did  not  partici- 
pate any  further  in  the  engagement  until  late  in  the 
afternoon.  As  the  division  moved  into  position  on  the 
right  of  the  newly  established  line  of  battle,  some 
skirmishing  ensued,  which  nightfall  ended. 

Thus  fought  General  Davis' s  Division  in  that  event- 
ful Wednesday's  battle.     For  more  than  eight  hours 


68  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

it  resisted  the  engulfing  wave  of  rebel  prowess  con- 
testing its  advance  by  every  obstacle  possible.  "No 
where,  in  all  that  extended  battle  front,  was  a  firmer 
countenance 'presented ;  and  no  where,  save  on  Rous- 
seau's front,  did  the  enemy  charge  more  desperately, 
or  meet  with  more  disastrous  receptions.  And 
among  the  regiments  which  here  distinguished  them- 
selves, none  did  more  valiant  service  or  is  more  enti- 
tled to  honorable  mention  than  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
ILLINOIS.  Its  loss  was  not  as  heavy  as  that  of  many 
other  commands,  while  it  effected  equally  decisive 
results.  Two  were  killed,  twenty-five  wounded,  and 
twenty-one  taken  prisoners,  among  them  Captain  A. 
McMoore,  of  Company  D.  The  gallantry  of  Colonel 
Bennett,  Major  Watson,  and  Captain  Hale,  elicited 
encomiums  of  praise  and  mention  in  the  reports  of 
superiors.  At  one  time,  as  the  regiment  fell  back 
from  its  .position  in  the  timber,  Major  Watson  and 
Sergeant  George  G.  Messe*  remained  behind  for  sev- 
eral minutes,  and  discharged  several  volleys  into  the 
advancing  foe. 

The  company  commanders,  Captains  McMoore, 
Frost  and  Storey,  Lieutenants  Shaw,  Sandford, 
Thompson  and  Parker,  and  Sergeants  Elisha  Bull, 
Frank  Bingham  and  Augustus  Johnson,  command- 
ing Companies  B,  H  and  I,  respectively,  did  their 
duty  well,  and  proved  themselves  gallant,  discreet, 
and  competent  for  the  position  they  held.  Thus, 
amid  the  glorious  results  of  such  a  battle,  it  is  a 
pleasing  duty  to  mention  the  names  of  the  gallant 


READJUSTMENT   OF   OUR   LUTES.  69 

living,  and  it  is  equally  painful  to  mention  those  of 
the  heroic  dead.  Privates  Washington  Wood,  of 
Company  C,  and  Sydney  Merriman,  of  K,  fell  in  the 
heat  of  the  fray,  as  soldiers  love  to  fall — with  their 
faces  to  the  foe. 

Never  before  was  the  service  of  the  medical  de- 
partment so  promptly  executed.  Surgeons  Ibraved 
danger  nobly,  and  suffered  captivity,  that  they  might 
administer  to  our  wounded.  Among  this  class  was 
Assistant-Surgeon  John  C.  Corbus. 

Wednesday  night  it  rained,  and  many,  during  the 
conflict,  had  abandoned  their  knapsacks,  blankets 
and  shelter  tents,  so  they  must  patiently  endure  their 
sufferings,  hoping  for  the  New  Year  and  sunlight. 
At  length  morning  came,  and  with  it  sunlight.  By 
ten  o'clock  the  clouds  had  rifted  away,  and  a  breeze 
swept  refreshingly  from  the  north,  and  dried  the 
mud.  The  sky  became  a  clear,  deep  blue,  and 
Nature  smiled  lovingly  on  yesterday's  field  of  car- 


nage. 


The  results  of  Wednesday's  battle  compelled  a  re- 
adjustment of  the  Federal  lines.  The  left  wing  was 
retired  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  its 
former .  position,  the  extreme  left  resting  on  Stone 
river,  the  right  on  the  Nashville  railroad  and  pike  ; 
joining  this  was  Thomas's  Corps ;  then  came  Johnson, 
Sheridan  and  Davis,  the  whole  line  running  nearly 
north-west,  and  refused  to  the  right,  resting  along 
the  slope  of  a  ridge  covered  with  a  heavy  cedar 
growth,  Davis1  s  Division  extending  across  and  to  the 


TO  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

rear  of  the  Nashville  pike.  The  cavalry  was  further 
down  the  pike  to  Overall's  Creek. 

The  first  of  January  passed  without  any  general 
engagement.  There  were  several  artillery  duels 
along  the  lines ;  skirmishing  with  the  pickets  was  fre- 
quent, and  reconnoissauces  were  pushed  forward  to 
all  points  where  it  was  supposed  the  enemy  was  con- 
cealed from  observation:  General  Rosecrans  made  a 
personal  inspection  of  every  part  of  his  lines,  and 
directed  several  changes  in  position ;  and  so  hand- 
somely did  he  arrange  all  things,  that  the  designs  of 
the  enemy  were  defeated.  The  right  wing  threw  up 
breastworks  for  defence,  and  in  this  work  the  Sev- 
enty-fourth and  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  were  engaged. 
During  this  day,  while  Company  F  was  deployed  on 
the  skirmish  line,  General  Rosecrans  rode  along,  and 
told  the  men  they  "  ought  to  retire  a  little,  as  they 
were  too  much  exposed."  Captain  Vorrey  replied, 
"  We  were  ordered,  General,  to  hold  this  particular 
line,  and  mean  to  do  it."  The  General  rejoined, 
"  That  is  right ;  obey  orders." 

Toward  night  General  Crittenden  was  ordered  to 
occupy  a  point  opposite  a  ford  near  which  his  left 
rested.  He  first  sent  a  brigade,  then  the  division  of 
Van  Cleve,  supported  by  another  brigade  of  Palmer's. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon — having,  du- 
ring the  morning,  opened  his  batteries  on  our  center, 
and  made  strong  demonstrations  of  attack  on  our 
right,  as  a  feint  to  cover  his  real  intentions — the 

O         / 

enemy  debouched  from  the  woods  opposite  to  Van 


SUCCESS    OWING   TO   MILLERS   BEIGADE.  71 

Cleve,  and  moved  directly  upon  him  in  heavy  masses 
of  infantry,  battalion  front,  supported  by  three  bat- 
teries of  artillery.  It  was  Breckenridge's  command 
advancing  to  a  banquet  of* death.  Van  Cleve  was 
forced  back,  and  his 'men  rushed  across  the  river  in 
great  confusion,  closely  followed  by  the  enemy.  The 
artillery  of  the  left  was  now  ranged  to  meet  the  foe, 
when  that  brave  and  true  soldier,  Colonel  John  P. 
Miller,  commanding  a  brigade  in  Negley's  Division, 
perceiving  a  splendid  opportunity  to  attack  the  enemy 
in  flank,  ordered  his  brigade  forward,  charged  bayo- 
nets, routed  him,  turned  the  fortune  of  the  day,  cap- 
turing four  cannon  and  one  stand  of  colors,  besides 
strewing  the  ground  with  heaps  of  slain.  It  is  right, 
here,  that  the  truth  should  be  asserted,  in  order  that 
history  may  be  vindicated.  The  glory  of  this 
grand  success  is  universally  given  to  General  Negley. 
Negley  was  a  good  soldier ;  but  he  had  one  failing 
—  that  of  overcautiousness.  He  never  ventured. 
At  the  time  of  the  rout  of  Van  Cleve,  he  was  in  the 
rear,  aiding  the  former  general  in  rallying  his  disor- 
ganized brigades.  He  was  not  at  the  front  when 
this  opportune  moment  presented  itself,  which  Col- 
onel Miller  perceived  and  embraced.  Miller  inquired 
for  Negley,  to  ask  leave  to  charge,  but  being  in- 
formed of  the  mission  he  was  then  on,  he  assumed 
the  responsibility  of  the  movement  himself,  and 
therefore  he  it  was  who  conceived,  ordered  and  exe- 
cuted the  crowning  action  of  that  memorable  field  of 
carnage.  Jeff.  C.  Davis's  Division,  and  Willich's 


72  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

(Gibbon's)  Brigade  of  Johnson's  Division,  were  Hur- 
ried up  to  the  support  of  the  menaced  front ;  but 
with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  regiments,  had  no 
active  participation  in  it*  and  this  aid  was  not  given 
where  Miller  operated,  but  on  Palmer's  front.  It 
seems  an  injustice  in  Generals  Rosecrans  and  Negley, 
not  to  give  Colonel  Miller  the  credit  for  this  affair, 
as  they  were  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  facts ; 
and  the  only  plea  that  can  be  made  in  their  behalf 
(which  does  not  in  the  least  justify  it),  is,  that  its 
brilliancy  conceded  to  him,  would  disparage  too 
much  the  reputation  of  Negley,  and  deprive  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  of  a  little  of  that  eclat,  which  at  that 
time  surrounded  him.  Hence,  while  each  of  them, 
in  their  official  reports,  greatly  complimented  Colonel 
Miller,  for  his  gallantry  in  this  action,  neither  of 
them  alluded  to  this  great  service,  and  thus,  in  their 
reports,  and  in*-all  the  histories  of  the  rebellion,  the 
credit  rests  upon  Rosecrans  and  Negley.  It  won  for 
the  latter  his  second  star,  while  Miller  still  wore  his 
eagle.  Finally,  after  the  action  of  Liberty  Gap, 
where  he  lost  his  left  eye,  the  Government  began  to 
appreciate  his  services,  and  conferred  upon  him  a 
Brigadier's  commission,  and  subsequently  that  of 
Major-General  by  brevet  rank. 

When  the  cheers  of  Miller's  victorious  troops  rolled 
back  over  the  hills,  commingled  with  the  roll  of 
musketry  and  the  booming  of  cannon,  all  was  excite- 
ment on  the  line  of  the  right  wing.  Every  one  asked 
what  it  meant.  Just  then,  up  rode  Colonel  Post, 


OTTR  LOSSES  AND   GAINS.  V3 

flushed  with  excitement,  and  exclaimed,  "  Cheer 
away  boys ;  I  may  take  you  into  a  fight  within 
fifteen  minutes !"  and  as  the  cheer  resounded  along 
his  front,  up  dashed. an  orderly,  with  orders  to  move 
to  the  left,  as  we  have  before  mentioned.  It  was 
nearly  dark  when  they  arrived  and  took  position 
upon  the  extreme  left  of  our  army.  That  night  they 
threw  up  breastworks,  and  lay  down  to  rest  on  the 
cold,  wet  ground,  while  the  constant  whiz  of  sharp- 
shooters' minies  proclaimed  watchfulness  and  auda- 
city on  the  side  of  the  rebels.  Daylight  of  the  3rd 
arrives.  The  rain  still  continues  incessantly,  the 
stream  rises  rapidly,  necessitating  a  recrossing  by  the 
troops;  so  the  position  is  abandoned,  and  Davis'a 
troops  return  to  their  old  place  of  bivouac.  The 
enemy  was  shelled  by  our  artillery,  but  no  regular 
engagement  occurred.  Another  great  battle  was 
then  anticipated ;  but  the  rain  must  first  cease.  Du- 
ring that  night,  Bragg,  despairing  of  success  in  the 
contest,  evacuated  Murfreesboro,  retreating  toward 
Tullahoma ;  thus  furnishing  the  most  conclusive  evi- 
dence of  his  complete  discomfiture  and  defeat.  On 
Wednesday  their  success  was  considerable,  driving 
our  right  wing  back  from  one  to  two  and  a  half 
miles,  besides  capturing  twenty-eight  pieces  of  artil- 
lery ;  but  Friday's  terrible  repulse  showed  we  were 
the  final  victors. 

The  Federal  loss  in  this  battle  was  fifteen  hundred 
and  thirty-three  in  killed,  including  ninety-two  offi- 
cers, and  seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-five 


74  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

wounded,  besides  about  twenty-eight  hundred  prison- 
ers. Bragg,  in  his  official  report,  admits  a  loss  of 
more  than  ten  thousand  in  killed  and  wounded ;  but 
this  does  not  include  twenty-eight  hundred  wounded 
and  prisoners  left  in  our  hands. 

Our  army  at  once  occupied  Murfreesboro,  throwing 
around  it  a  cordon  of  camps,  the  position  of  the 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  being  some  ten  miles  from  town  on 
the  Shelby  ville  pike.  Thus  ended  this  fearful  strife, 
beginning,  in  fact,  on  the  26th  of  December,  1862, 
and  ending  on  the  3rd  of  January,  1863.  The  rebel- 
lion had  received  another  blow,  but  at  a  fearful  cost 
in  life  and  limb.  Again  the  nation  rejoiced  and 
mourned. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


MUEFEEESBOEO THE    BATTLE    OF   LIBEETY    GAP WHST- 

CHESTEE. 


MUEFREESBOEO  is  situated  upon  high  and  rolling 
ground,  and  is  on  the  east  bank  of  the  west  fork  of 
Stone  river.  It  is  the  center  of  a  rich  agricultural 
section,  and  cotton  is  a  heavy  staple  in  its  trade. 
From  it  diverge  many  turnpikes  and  roads,  commu- 
nicating with  all  the  principal  places  in  Middle  Ten- 
nessee ;  indeed  it  is  considered  as  the  military  key 
of  that  country.  As  such,  it  has  been  in  the  posses- 
sion either  of  the  Union  or  rebel  forces  ever  since 
the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion.  General  Rosecrans 
availed  himself  of  its  commanding  heights  to  secure 
a  strong  defensive  position.  A  proportionate  force 
of  the  army  was  constantly  detailed  for  the  work, 
and  to-day  every  knoll  of  importance  is  crowned  with 
a  fortification. 

The  rainy  season  had  already  set  in,  and  the  Cum- 
berland river,  swollen  by  the  rains,  teemed  with 
transports  laden  with  supplies;  and  Murfreesboro 
was  made  an  intermediate  depot  for  army  stores. 


76  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

The  camp  of  the  FIEST  DIVISION  was  most  of  the 
time  on  the  Shelbyville  turnpike,  which  crossed  the 
chain  of  Coffee  Hills  at  a  place  known  as  Guy's  Gap, 
some  seven  miles  south  of  Murfreesboro.  This  gap 
was  the  scene  of  several  brilliant  skirmishes  during 
the  months  of  January  and  February,  as  McCook's 
Corps  procured  from  that  section  the  forage  for  its 
animals.  Our  losses  were  always  slight,  and  the 
engagements  were  not  of  importance  enough  to  de- 
mand special  mention. 

Shortly  after  the  army  moved  into  Murfreesboro, 
the  War  Department  again  remodeled  it,  forming  it 
into  three  corps  d'armee.  The  troops  under  Thomas 
were  designated  as  the  Fourteenth,  those  under 
McCook  the  Twentieth,  and  those  under  Crittenden 
the  Twenty-first  Army  Corps. 

During  the  month  of  March,  the  enemy  appeared 
in  heavy  force  along  our  front,  and  Van  Dorn  laid 
siege  to  Franklin.  The  enemy  also  made  several  dem- 
onstrations on  the  troops  at  Murfreesboro,  advancing 
in  considerable  force,  and  attacking  our  outposts  on 
the  Salem  and  Middleton  roads.  Sheridan  was  sent 
to  the  aid  of  Granger  at  Franklin,  and  a  reconnois- 
sance  was  ordered  on  all  the  roads  leading  from  Mur- 
freesboro. Post's 'Brigade  was  stationed  for  a  time 
at  Salem,  as  a  corps  of  observation.  Davis's  entire 
division  shortly  after  moved  to  Franklin,  but  parti- 
cipated in  no  engagement,  and  after  a  week's  stay, 
returned  again,  on  the  llth  of  February,  to  Murfrees- 
boro. "While  there,  however,  it  built  a  bridge  across 


RETURN   FKOM   CAPTIVITY.  77 

the  Harpetli  river,  made  a  ford  to  cross  teams,  and 
did  picket  duty.  The  weather  was  very  rainy,  and 
the  mud  almost  fathomless,  during  the  entire  trip. 
On  the  7th  of  March  the  Seventy-fifth  made  a  recon- 
noissance  to  Triune ;  saw  no  enemy,  but  foraged  con- 
siderably in  the  country  round  about,  and  returned 
again  on  the  10th  instant. 

During  the  severe  service  following  the  Stone  river 
campaign,  Captain  Frost,  of  Company  E,  being  the 
senior  officer  present,  was  much  of  the  time  doing 
duty  as  a  field  officer,  and  his  name  appears  on  the 
official  records  of  those  days  of  hardship  as  a  faithful 
officer,  ever  at  his  post.  He  was  especially  noted 
for  his  care  and  attention  with  the  picket  lines. 

While  encamped  here,  Captain  McMoore  and  Lieu- 
tenant Blodgett  returned  from  their  captivity  in  the 
South,  having  enjoyed  for  three  months  the  hospita- 
ble attentions  for  which  the  Southern  people  have 
been  so  noted  since  the  beginning  of  the  war.  Most 
of  the  men  also  returned,  save  those  who  fell  victims 
to  disease.  The  regiment  here,  too,  shortly  after  the 
battle  of  Stone  river,  learned  of  the  death  of  Lien- 
tenant  Ezekiel  I.  Kilgore,  of  Company  I.  He  was  a 
martyr  to  our  country's  cause — not  a  victim  to  the 
leaden  hail  of  our  enemies,  but  to  sickness  consequent 
upon  exposure  and  hardships  following  the  battle  of 
Perry ville.  He  died  on  Christmas  evening,  1862. 

The  encampment  of  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps, 
while  at  Murfreesboro,  will  never  be  forgotten  by 
the  new  troops  of  1862,  and  it  will  be  equally  remem- 


78  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

bered  by  the  friends  of  many  a  poor  soldier  who 
there  rendered  his  final  accounts.  It  was  unusually 
rainy,  even  for  the  winter  season,  and  lurid  skies, 
humid  atmosphere,  deep  mud,  miserable  tents,  and 
inexperience  in  the  new  condition  of  life,  all  con- 
spired to  produce  sickness  and  death,  and  convert 
the  camp  into  one  great  field-hospital. 

Several  influences  were  in  silent  operation,  pro- 
ducing serious  disease.  The  chief  of  these  were 
malaria  and  scorbutive  taint.  The  former  displayed 
itself  in  the  different  types  of  pneumonia,  the  latter 
in  diarrhoea.  It  was  the  process  of  acclimation,  anl 
it  must  go  on,  be  the  process  ever  so  fatal.  Again, 
the  diseases  produced  by  miasmatic  influences  seemed 
to  assume  an  adynamic  character,  and  greatly  per- 
plexed the  minds  of  the  physicians  as  to  the  proper 
mode  of  treatment.  Measles  also  prevailed  to  a 
great  extent.  Many  died  from  its  effects.  January, 
February  and  March  of  this  year  were  dismal  months 
indeed  to  the  gallant  men  of  the  North,  who  daily 
saw  comrade  after  comrade  wasting  away,  unattended 
by  wifely  care  or  sisterly  affection,  and  at  last  fol- 
lowed, with  solemn  step  and  aching  heart,  their  re- 
mains to  a  soldier's  grave. 

It  was  impossible  to  procure  official  documentary 
evidence  of  the  medical  department  of  the  regiment, 
relative  either  to  its  monthly  ^ickness  or  monthly 
mortality  rates ;  but  from  such  data  as  are  attain- 
able, based  upon  the  returns  of  Surgeon  McDermot, 
Medical  Director  of  the  army,  the  ratio  of  sickness 


POSITION   OF   THE   ENEMY.  79 

per  thousand  of  mean  strength,  during  the  •  three 
months  named,  was,  on  an  average,  236. TO  per  cent, 
per  month.  The  mortality  rates  were  higher,  accord- 
ingly, the  average  ratio  per  thousand  being  for  the 
same  period,  6.82  per  cent.  Surgeons  Phillips  and 
Corbus  worked  faithfully  in  the  discharge  of  their 
high  duties,  and  with  marked  success,  considering 
the  stores  at  their  command  and  the  location  of  their 
patients.  It  is  the  cruel  fate  of  war,  and  in  future 
the  living  comrades  in  arms  will  tearfully  think  of 
them,  and  the  struggles  they  together  endured.  Now 

We  are  scattered — we  are  scattered; 

Yet  may  we  meet  again 
In  a  brighter  and  a  purer  sphere, 

Beyond  the  reach  of  pain. 
Where  the'  shadows  of  this  lower  world 

Can  never  cloud  the  eye — 
When  the  mortal  hath  put  brightly  on 

Its  immortality. 

By  the  first  of  June  the  fortifications  were  com- 
pleted, and  everything  in  readiness  for  another  cam* 
paign.  The  soldiers  hailed  the  indications  with 
pleasure,  and  joyfully  sang  of  the  "  good  time  com- 
ing." 

By  the  20th  of  June  the  location  of  the  enemy's 
army  had  become  thoroughly  understood.  His  main 
infantry  force  was  in  position  north  of  Duck  river,  its 
right  resting  at  War  Trace,  and  its  left  at  Shelby- 
ville.  Cavalry  protected  its  flanks,  on  the  right  to 


80  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

McMinnville,  and  on  the  left  to  Columbia  and  Spring 
Hill.  In  front  of  this  entire  position  was  a  chain 
called  the  Coffee  Hills — a' spur  of  the  Cumberland 
range — high,  rough  and  rocky,  with  but  few  roads 
suitable  for  the  movement  of  an  army.  These  roads 
are,  leading  from  Murfreesboro :  by  the  way  of 
McMinnville  ;  by  the  Manchester  pike,  which  crosses 
the  hills  at  Hoover's  Gap  ;  by  the  War  Trace  road 
through  Liberty  Gap  ;  by  a  dirt  road  through  Belle- 
buckle  Gap,  and  by  the*  Shelbyville  pike,  through 
Guy's  Gap.  The  enemy  held  all  these  passes  with  a 
'strong  force,  and  his  main  position  at  Shelbyville 
was  strongly  intrenched.  Here  Bragg  intended  to 
offer  battle,  as  he  supposed  General  Rosecrans  would 
attack  in  this  direction,  this  pike  affording  most  ex- 
cellent means  for  the  transportation  of  troops  and 
trains.  Folk's  Corps  was  at  Shelbyville ;  Hardee's 
joined  him  on  the  right,  occupying  the  Gaps.  The 
total  effectivetrebel  force  was  estimated  at  forty  thou- 
sand men.  Tullahoma  is  strongly  intrenched  with  a 
redan  line  of  rifle-pits,  and  a  bastioned  fort.  It  is 
further  protected  by  the  defiles  of  Duck  river,  a  nar- 
row, but  deep  and  swift  stream,  with  a  range  of  rocky 
hills  intervening  between  it  and  the  "barrens;"  in 
fact,  ^his  stream  constitutes  the  dividing  line  between 
the  higher  and  lower  lands,  or  basin  of  Middle  Ten- 


o 

tiessee. 


To  expel  the  rebel  army  from  this  region  was  the 
object  of  the  next  campaign.  The  plan  adopted  was 
to  menace  their  left  and  center  with  a  heavy  force  of 


GALLANTRY  OF  JOHNSONS  TEOOPS.        81 

infantry  and  cavalry,  and  under  cover  of  these  feints, 
to  turn*  their  right,  destroy  the  bridge  across  Elk 
river,  six  miles  south  of  Tullahoma,  cutting  off  their 
line  of  retreat,  thus  compelling  them  to  offer  battle 
on  our  own  ground,  or  retreat  by  a  circuitous  and 
hazardous  route  across  the  Cumberland  mountains 
and  the  Tennessee  river. 

The  morning  of  the  24th  of  June — the  day  which 
was  to  begin  the  inauguration  of  a  brilliant  and 
enduring  victory — like  that  of  the  26th  of  Decem- 
ber, the  day  of  the  advance  upon  Murfreesboro, 
opened  with  a  dreary,  dismal  rain,  which  soon  ren- 
dered the  roads  almost  impassable  for  artillery  and 
trains;  but  the  troops  were  joyous,  nevertheless,  and 
indulged  in  all  the  burlesque  usual  to  camp.  Gen- 
eral Sheridan's  Division  led  the  advance  down  the 
Shelbyville  pike,  proceeding  on  to  Guy's  Gap. 
Johnson's  and  Davis' s  Divisions  followed  Sheridan 
for  six  miles,  and  turned  to  the  left,  marching  along 
a  dirt  road  to  Old  Millersburg.  The  column  arrived 
at  this  place  about  noon.  Thus  far,  there. were  no 
signs  of  the  enemy.  General  Johnson  then  proceeded 
to  reconnoitre  the  canon  of  Liberty  Gap,  closely  sup- 
ported by  General  Davis.  Johnson  soon  discovered 
the  enemy,  and  right  gallantly  his  troops  proceeded 
to  carry  the  hills.  In  two  hours'  time,  by  skillful 
manoeuvreing,  he  had  routed  the  enemy — Liddell's 
command — and  held  the  entrance  to  the  Gap.  Pur- 
suit was  made  for  a  mile,  to  "Liberty  Meeting 
House."  Picket  lines  were  then  established,  the 
6 


82'  THE  SEVEISTTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

division  -moved  up,  with  Davis  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Gap,  and  there  encamped  for  the  night.  Willich's 
Brigade,  of  Johnson's  Division,  which  did  most  of 
the  fighting  on  this  day,  sustained  a  loss  of  ninety- 
two  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  men,  exhausted  by  the  weary  march  through 
deep  mud,  and  the  excitement  incident  to  battle, 
raised  their  shelter-tents,  rolled  themselves  in  their 
blankets,  and  though  soaked  to  the  skin,  and  lying 
on  the  wet  ground,  were  soon  oblivious  to  all  things 
earthly.  An  occasional  report  of  a  sentry's  gun  was 
all  that  broke  the  stillness  of  the  dismal  scene. 

Three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  25th  found 
the  troops  astir  and  in  arms — a  precaution  against 
surprise.  Information,  positive  in  character,  had 
been  received,  that  Liddell's  Brigade  was  reinforced 
by  Cleburne's  Division,  and  that  a  stout  resistance 
would  be  made  to  our  further  progress. 

The  line  of  battle  established  next  morning  was — 
for  Johnson's  Division,  Willich  and  Miller  in  the 
front,  with  Balderin  as  reserve ;  for  Davis' s  Division, 
Carlin  and  Post  in  the  front  line,  with  Woodruff's 
Brigade  as  reserve.  From  daylight  until  about  ten 
o'clock,  a  desultory  fire  was  kept  up  between  the 
forces  on  outpost  along  the  entire  front,  at  long 
range,  and  with  but  few,  if  any,  casualties.  At  ten, 
an  attack  was  made  on  Willich,  and  a  warm  skirmish 
ensued.  Again  all  was  quiet,  but  it  was  the  stillness 
which  precedes  the  storm.  In  less  than  half  an  hour 
another  most  determined  attack  was  made  upon  Wil- 


CHARGE    OF   THE    FORTY-NINTH    OHIO.  83 

lich.  This  was  kept  up  constantly  until  two-  o'clock, 
when  the  rebel  general  made  a  furious  charge  upon 
his  front.  Willich's  men  stood  undismayed,  although 
the  rebel  shells  fell  among  them  with  fatal  precision. 
Four  times  was  the  rebel  column  repulsed.  Still  it 
would  not  yield  the  contest.  At  last  Willich's 
ammunition  gave  out,  and  he  determined  to  attempt 
a  decisive  measure,  and  force  the  rebels  from  their 
position  at  the  base  of  the  hill.  Accordingly  he 
ordered  that  splendid  regiment,  the  Forty-ninth 
Ohio,  which  had  lain  in  reserve,  to  charge.  Its  form- 
ation was  in  four  ranks,  and  the  order  was  given  to 
advance  firing.  With  the  gallant  Gibson  at  its  head, 
it  faced  steadily  a  perfect  shower  of  leaden  hail  and 
iron  shell,  reserving  its  fire  until  within  close  range 
of  the  rebel  line.  Then  it  opened  deliberately  and 
unerringly.  The  third  volley  by  rank  routed  the 
rebel  brigade,  and  flung  it  back  into  the  open  field. 
With  a  shout,  Gibson's  men  rushed  on,  impatient  to 
use  the  bayonet ;  but  the  rebel  retreat  was  too  rapid, 
and  so  the  column  was  judiciously  halted  at  the  fence 
whence  the  enemy  had  fled. 

General  Johnson,  thinking  that  now  the  enemy, 
thus  pressed,  could  be  driven  from  his  position  in  the 
opposite  hills,  ordered  forward  Miller's  Brigade. 
The  Thirty-fourth  Illinois  formed  a  part  of  this  com- 
mand. Miller  deployed  his  regiments  into  line  of 
battle,  passed  to  the  front,  and  engaged  the  enemy 
en  echelons  by  battalions  at  sixty  paces.  Colonel 
Miller  was  severely  wounded  in  the  very  outset  of 


84  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

the  action,  and  the  command  fell  upon  Colonel  Rose, 
of  the  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylvania,  a  brave  man, 
•  most  gallant  in  battle,  skillful  in  handling  a  regi- 
ment, but  of  too  excitable  a  temperament  to  judi- 
ciously manoeuvre  a  brigade.  Hence  a  sad  mistake 
was  given,  in  an  order  which  deprived  this  brig- 
ade  of  the  full  fruition  of  victory,  by  a  movement 
in  retreat,  instead  of  by  the  flank.  The  Thirty-fourth 
most  tenaciously  held  its  ground,  and  saved  the  posi- 
tion. Carlin's  Brigade  moved  up  on  the  right  of 
the  Thirty-fourth,  and  the  Thirty-eighth  Illinois  be- 
ing directly  in  front,  charged  up  the  hills,  thus  end- 
ing the  conflict.  Post's  Brigade  did  not  participate 
in  the  engagement,  otherwise  than  to  maintain  a  pro- 
longation of  the  front.  But  it  was  ready  and  willing 
to  engage  the  foe,  had  necessity  required  it.  Captain 
Hale,  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois,  had  just  received 
an  appointment  as  Inspector  on  the  Brigade  Staff. 
Lieutenant  Segur,  of  Company  I,  just  promoted  from 
sergeant,  being  unwell,  Lieutenant  Henry  Parrott, 
of  Company  C,  was  assigned  to  its  command.  These 
are  all  the  changes  that  seem  worthy  of  note  at  this 
stage  of  the  narrative. 

While  all  this  was  going  on,  Thomas  had  been 
equally  successful  at  Hoover's  Gap,  routing  the  foe 
and  pushing  him  back  on  Manchester  and  Tullahoma. 
Gordon  Granger  had  been  successful  in  his  attack 
upon  Shelby ville,  and  instead  of  making  a  feint, 
merely,  he  achieved  a  handsome  success,  driving  Polk 
across  Duck  river,  and  toward  Tullahoma.  Critten- 


NEW   POSITION    OF   THE    ARMY.  85 

den  was  struggling  in  the  mud  on  the  Manchester 
road,  but  arrived  at  that  point  with  the  rest  of  the 
army;  and  now  the  whole  column  concentered  on 
Tullahoma,  at  which  point  the  rebels  had  massed  by 
the  28th.  The  troops  marched  from  Liberty  to 
Hoover's  Gap,  and  thence  to  Manchester,  from  the 
26th  to  the  28th  instant.  Here  they  remained  until v 
•the  first  of  July,  awaiting  the  arrival  and  disposition 
in  battle  order  of  the  other  corps  cFarmee.  While 
here,  all  extra  baggage  was  sent  back  to  Murfrees- 
boro ;  but  the  horrible  state  of  the  roads,  and  the 
starved  condition  of  the  mules,  most  of  whom  had 
nothing  to  eat  for  three  days,  rendered  it  necessary 
to  destroy  most  of  the  stuff  transported. 

On  the  night  of  the  30th  of  June  the  army  was  in 
order  of  battle,  ready  to  engage  the  enemy  on  the 
morrow.  Heavy  reconnoissances  pushed  forward  on 
the  1st  of  July  toward  Tullahoma,  developed  the 
fact  that  the  enemy  was  retreating.  The  army  was 
at  once  put  in  motion,  but  so  soft  and  spongy  was 
the  soil  from  the  almost  incessant  rain  since  the  24th 
of  June,  that  it  required  eleven  hours  of  marching  for 
the  infantry  to  reach  Tullahoma,  a  distance  of  eleven 
miles.  Johnson's  Division  remained  here ;  but  Davis 
and  Sheridan,  together  with  Thomas  and  Crittenden, 
pushed  on  across  the  Elk,  driving  the  rebels  into  the 
Cumberland  mountains,  and  capturing  sixteen  hun- 
dred prisoners.  Davis' s  Division  encamped  at  Win- 
chester, and  now  that  Bragg  was  across  the  Tennes- 
see, our  army  established,  a  new  position,  its  right 


86  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

resting  at  Winchester  and  Cowan,  and  its  left  at 
McMinnville.  Here  it  recruited  from  the  exhaustion 
of  its  weary  marches.  Our  victory  had  been  a  bril- 
liant, although  almost  a  bloodless  one ;  the  losses  on 
our  part  not  exceeding  one  thousand  in  killed  and 
wounded. 


CHAPTER    VII. 


WINCHESTER THE    MAECH    ACROSS    THE    TENNESSEE 

CHICK  AMAUGA CONDUCT     OF     THE     SEVENTY-FIFTH 

ILLINOIS ARRIVAL  AT    CHATTANOOGA END  OF  THE 

CAMPAIGN. 

* 

WINCHESTER  is  a  very  pretty  town,  and  numbers  about 
one  thousand  white  population.  Its  streets  run  at 
right  angles,  and  are  of  good  width.  The  sidewalks 
are  good,  and  the  town  is  suburban  in  its  aspect  of 
green  wilderness.  In  the  center  of  the  public  square 
stands  the  Court  House — a  large,  square,  two  story 
brick  structure,  but  antique  in  its  style  of  architec- 
ture. There  are  several  churches,  representing  the 
leading  denominations.  The  college  is  a  female  in- 
stitution, well  endowed,  and  bears  the  name  of  its 
principal  donor.  There  are  but  few  Unionists  in 
this  county.  The  voice  of  Freedom  had  no  utter- 
ance during  the  war ;  it  was  banished  like  an  outlaw. 
Three  regiments  of  infantry,  a  battalion  of  cavalry, 
and  one  artillery  company,  were  recruited  in  this 
county  alone,  to  fight  in  the  rebel  cause. 


88  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Here  the  army  rested  until  the  16th  of  August. 
The  health  of  the  soldiers  was  fine — in  fact,  it  was 
never  better.  The  orchards  of  the  country  were 
laden  with  an  abundance  of  fast  ripening  fruit,  and 
the  roadways  were  lined  with  the  most  luscious  black- 
berries ;  of  these  the  men  ate  most  heartily. 

On  the  16th  the  different  army  corps  were  again 
in  motion,  soon  to  meet  the  foe  on  another  most  im- 
portant occasion  of  the  war.  Crittenden's  Corps 
moved  in  three  columns  from  Hillsboro,  Manchester 
and  McMinnville,  over  the  Cumberland  mountains  to 
Thierinan,  Dunlap  and  Pikesville,  in  the  Sequatchy 
valley.  Thomas's  Corps  moved  over  the  mountains 
by  way  of  the  University,  to  Battle  Creek  and  Crow 
Creek,  near  the  Tennessee.  McCook's  Corps  moved 
as  follows  :  Davis's  Division  moved  to  near  Steven- 
son, Alabama,  by  way  of  Mount  Top  and  Crow 
Creek.  Sheridan's  Division  was  already  at  Steven- 
son and  Bridgeport,  whither  it  had  advanced  upon 
the  completion  of  the  railroad  to  those  points.  John- 
son's Division  moved  from  Tullahoma  by  way  of 
Winchester,  Salem  and  Larkin's  Fork,  to  Bellefonte, 
Alabama.  Cavalry  moved  upon  both  flanks  of  the 
army  to  protect  it  against  the  enemy's  cavalry;  that 
on  the  right  striking  the  Tennessee  river  at  Whites- 
burg,  that  on  the  left  at  Shell  Mound. 

By  the  21st  the  army  was  encamped  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Tennessee.  And  here  it  enjoyed  a  res- 
pite ;  but  it  was  only  temporary.  Meantime  the 
Michigan  Engineers,  the  Pioneers,  and  heavy  details 

-* 


MOVEMENT    ACKOSS    THE    TEN1STESSEE.  89 

of  infantry  were  busy  in  the  construction  of  pon- 
toons, trestles  and  rafts,  whereby  to  cross  the  river, 
and  move  upon  the  enenfy.  It  was  evident  the 
ordeal  of  battle  was  not  far  distant,  either  as  to  time 
or  place. 

While  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  lay  near  Stevenson, 
Major  Kilgore — now  Lieutenant-Colonel  —  rejoined 
the  command,  after  an  absence  of  about  ten  months, 
on  account  of  his  terrible  wound,  received  at  Perry- 
ville.  Possessing  a  very  strong  constitution,  wiry 
and  vigorous,  he  had  outlived  that  which  would  have 
been  the,  death  of  any'one  less  favored  by  nature  or 
habit  in  health.  He  wag  now  again  in  the  field, 
ready  for  another  battle  and  its  dreadful  fortunes. 
About  this  time,  also,  Sergeant-Major  Silas  D.  Frost 
passed  such  a  creditable  examination  before  the  Mili- 
tary Board,  that  he  received  a  Captain's  commission 
in  one  of  the  new  organizations  of  colored  troops. 

The  movement  of  the  army  across  the  Tennessee 
commenced  on  the  29th  of  August.  The  crossing 
was  made  in  boats  at  Shell  Mound,  on  rafts  at  Battle ' 
Creek,  on  a  trestle  bridge  at  Bridgeport,  and  on 
pontoons  at  Copeton's  Ferry,  opposite  Stevenson. 
Thomas  traversed  the  Sand  Mountains,  and  concen- 
trated near  Trenton,  Georgia.  He  then  seized  Frick's, 
Cooper's  and  Stevens' s  Gaps  on  the  Lookout  range. 
The  valley  along  these  gaps  is  called  Le  Lemore's 
Cove.  Crittenden  moved  to  Wauhatchie,  in  I^ook- 
out  valley,  joining  Thomas,  and  threatening  Chatta- 
nooga across  the  nose  of  Lookout  mountain.  McCook 


90  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

pushed  his  corps  over  the  Sandy  mountains,  and  into 
the  valley  beyond,  seizing  Winston's  Gap  at  its  head. 
The  cavalry  made  demonstrations  toward  Alpine  and 
Rome. 

It  was  on  the  30th  of  August  Davis's  Division 
crossed  the  Tennessee,  and  on  the  4th  of  September 
it  arrived  at  Valley  Head,  and  encamped  several 
days  at  Winston's  house.  While  the  troops  were 
guarding  this  important  pass,  a  supply  train  was 
sent  to  Stevenson,  on  which  many  sick  men  were 
returned  to  hospital,  escorted  in  part  by  Company 
A,  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois.  The  train  returned 
safely  on  the  16th.  Meantime,  on  the  9th,  the  Sec- 
ond and  Third  Brigades  made  a  reconnoissance  for- 
ward on  Lookout  mountain  toward  Alpine,  and  the 
First  Brigade,  Colonel  P.  Sidney  Post,  was  instructed 
to  hold  all  the  passes  to  this  mountain  leading  from 
Valley  Head.  The  SEVENTY-FIFTH,  during  this  time 
and  for  some  days  previous,  was  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kilgore,  Colonel  Bennett  being 
sick,  although  still  with  the  regiment.  He  was  too 
brave  a  soldier  to  leave  the  command  at  such  a  crit- 
ical time,  so  long  as  he  could  possibly  walk  or  ride. 
The  brigade  picketed  these  passes  until  the  night  of 
the  llth,  when  Colonel  Post  received  an  order  from 
General  McCook,  assigning  his  command  to  the 
"  onerous  and  important  duty  of  moving  all  the  trains 
of  this  corps  and  the  cavalry  corps  to  the  front." 
The  ascent  over  the  mountain  was  very  steep,  and 
the  task  an  arduous  one ;  but  by  the  help  of  seven 


BIVOUAC   NEAR   STEVENs's    GAP.  91 

companies  of  infantry,  who  put  their  shoulders  to  the 
wheels,  all  the  trains  cleared  the  ascent. 

Colonel  Post,  learning  from  scouts  and  citizens, 
also  by  a  letter  from  General  McCook,  that  a  large 
force  of  Confederate  cavalry  was  near  Lebanon,  threat- 
ening his  communications,  and  trains  crossing  Sand 
mountains,  and  also  learning  that  a  large  cavalry 
supply  train  was  moving  up  in  his  rear  without  a 
guard,  he  dispatched  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS, 
now  under  command  of  Colonel  Bennett,  to  protect 
it.  The  regiment  returned  on  the  13th  with  the 
train,  having  made,  with  -much  endurance  and  com- 
mendable spirit,  a  march  through  the  heat  and  dust 
of  twenty-eight  miles  in  less  than  twenty  hours. 
Now,  Post's  Brigade  being  temporarily  assigned  to 
the  command  of  General  Lytle,  and  being  informed 
by  him  that  he  should  withdraw  his  command  at 
three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  16th,  Post  sent 
the  Fifty -ninth  Illinois  up  the  mountain,  to  defend 
the  approaches  by  the  Alpine  road.  It  reached  its 
position  near  Little  river  about  one  in  the  morning 
of  the  16th,  and  was  soon  after  strengthened  by  the 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS. 

On  the  18th,  the  road  being  clear,  Post  pushed 
forward  his  trains,  keeping  them  in  constant  motion 
until  eleven  that  nio;ht,  when  he  bivouacked  within 

O         ' 

one  mile  of  Stevens' s  Gap,  having  made  a  march 
of  twenty-three  miles  over  very  hilly  and  rough 
mountain  roads. 

Meantime,  developments  had  been  made  on  the 


92  THE  SEVENTY-JFIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

centre  and  left.  Crittenden  had  moved  up  Lookout 
mountain  by  a  dangerous  road  called  Nick-a-Jack 
Trace  to  Summertown,  and  developed  the  fact  that 
the  enemy  had  evacuated  Chattanooga.  It  was  now 
ascertained  that  Bragg  had  been  ordered  to  fall  back 
toward  Atlanta  on  the  Georgia  State  road,  and  await 
the  reinforcement  of  Longstreet's  Virginia  forces, 
and  that  Breckenridge  was  at  Rome.  Crittenden 
occupied  Chattanooga  on  the  9th,  and  moved  his 
advance  down  the  valley  to  E-ossville  on  the  10th. 
Our  cavalry  made  reconnoissances  down  Alpine  and 
Broonitown  valleys,  and  the  weight  of  evidence  now 
showed  that  the  enemy  was  massing  at  Lafayette. 
Crittenden  therefore  moved  to  Ringgold,  and  recon- 
noitered  to  Gordon's  Mills.  Thomas  moved  out  of 
the  passes  which  he  had  held,  pushing  toward  Lafay- 
ette, through  Dry  Gap  of  Pigeon  mountain.  Find- 
ing the  enemy  in  heavy  force,  he  retreated  to  Ste- 
vens's  Gap.  McCook's  Corps  concentrated  here,  and 
now  it  was  further  ascertained  that  Johnston's  Missis- 
sippi army  had  reinforced  Bragg,  and  that  our  army 
would  soon  be  attacked  with  an  overwhelming  force. 
It  was  in  a  bad  position  to  resist.  It  extended  from 
Gordon's  Mills,  on  Chickamauga  Creek,  to  Alpine,  a 
distance  of  fifty  miles.  There  must  be,  a  rapid  con- 
centration, or»it  would  be  annihilated  in  detail.  On 
the  17th  the  concentration  was  effected.  Crittenden 
remained  firm  at  Gordon's  Mills.  Thomas  joined 
him  on  the  right.  Sheridan  came  next,  occupying 
Stevens's  Gap ;  Davis's  two  brigades  were  at  Dug 


VICTORY   AT   CHICKAMAUGA.  93 

Gap,  while  Johnson  was  at  Pond  Springs,  near  Cat- 
lett's  Gap. 

On  the  18th  the  enemy  made  strong  demonstra- 
tions toward  our  left,  with  the  intention  of  cutting 
off  our  communications  with  Chattanooga — the  objec- 
tive point  of  the  campaign — and  forcing  it  to  battle 
under  great  disadvantages  and  against  overwhelming 
odds.  Rosecrans  now  moved  his  forces  down  the 
Chickamauga,  so  as  to  cover  the  Chattanooga  road, 
and  hardly  were  they  in  position,  when  Bragg  made 
a  furious  attack  on  our  left.  Then  came  the  carnage 
of  Chickamauga,  which  lasted  for  two  long  Septem- 
ber days,  and  far  exceeded  in  intensity  Shiloh  or 
Stone  River.  On  the  21st  our  army  arrived  at  Chat- 
tanooga, where  it  was  destined  to  undergo  a  terrible 
siege,  which  for  a  time  seemed  likely  to  end  in  our 
evacuation  of  the  place. 

All  in  all,  Chickamauga  waafc-a  victory.  On  the 
19th  of  September  the  entire  army,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  two  brigades,  was  in  the  battle,  and  defeated 
every  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  turn  our  left  flank, 
securing  its  own  concentration,  and  holding  the  great 
object  of  that  day's  strife — the  approaches  to  Chatta- 
nooga. The  battle  of  the,  20th  was  equally  a  success, 
for,  after  a  last  desperate  but  fruitless  assault,  the 
enemy  ceased  the  combat.  The  army  then  withdrew 
to  Rossville,  and  awaited  attack.  But  the  enemy, 
deprived  of  more  than  nineteen  thousand  combatants, 
felt  incapable  of  keeping  the  field.  The  campaign 
was  offensive,  but  the  battle  defensive.  Had  we 


94  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

been  driven  back  across  the  Tennessee,  it  would 
have  been  a  sore  defeat  for  our  cause ;  but  as  we 
occupied,  fully  and  securely,  the  great  point  which 
we  sought  to  gain  —  Chattanooga— the  impartial 
mind  can  but  say  we  secured  the  substantial  fruits  of 
a  victory.  Our  side,  too,  sustained  a  fearful  loss  of 
more  than  fifteen  thousand  men,  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners. 

We  will  now  return  to  ascertain  the  fate  of  Post's 
'  brave  command,  which,  in  that  hour  of  extreme  peril, 
had  been  left  so  isolated  from  the  protection  of  the 
main  army.  At  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
19th,  Post  received  a  letter  of  instruction  from 
Department  Headquarters,  to  remain  at  Stevens's 
Gap,  and  "to  hold  that  point  at  all  hazard;  but 
if  compelled  to  abandon  the  Gap,  to  retire  along  the 
mountain  road  to  Chattanooga,  contesting  the  ground 
inch  by  inch."  Dispositions  were  made  accordingly. 
At  four  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  General 
McCook  directed  him  to  send  the  trains  by  the  moun- 
tain road  to  Chattanooga,  and  to  hasten  his  brigade 
to  the  battle-field  by  way  of  Crawfish  Springs.  With 
the  train  were  sent  sixty-seven  rebel  prisoners,  cap- 
tured during  the  march  and  the  stay  at  Winston's 
and  Stevens's  Gaps.  As  the  brigade  advanced,  the 
cannonading  grew  more  and  more  distinct,  telling, 
too  truly,  that  a  tremendous  contest  was  waging,  in 
which  they  were  not  participating,  yet  suffering  all 
the  disquietude  incident  to  separation  and  exposure. 
At  the  Ringgold  road  the  enemy  was  found  in  con- 


DARING    OF    CAPTAIN    HALE.  95 

X 

siderable  force,  but  a  heavy  line  of  skirmishers,  under 
command  of  Captain  Robert  Hale,  dispersed  him, 
though  constantly  annoyed  until  the  command  reached 
the  Springs,  which  was  one  o'clock  that  afternoon. 
Here  Post  reported  to  General  R,.  B.  Mitchell,  com- 
manding a  cavalry  division,  who  was  posted  to  par- 
tially cover  the  right  flank  of  our  army.  Mitchell 
informed  Post  that  all  communication  with  McCook 
was  cut  off,  and  that  it  would  be  madness  to  attempt 
to  join  him  with  a  single  brigade.  Mitchell  there- 
fore directed  Post  to  form  his  brigade  in  line  of 
battle  to  repel  an  attack  which  he  greatly  feared 
would  be  made  upon  him.  This  disposition  was 
made :  but  Post,  having  received  orders  from 

/  /  O 

McCook  to  join  the  army,  felt  extremely  anxious  to 
do  so,  or  at  least  to  inform  him  of  his  arrival  at 
Crawfish  Springs,  and  ascertain  what  further  should 
be  done.  Mitchell's  cavalry  had  made  several  inef- 
fectual attempts  to  communicate  with  McCook,  but 
each  horseman  sent  was  either  captured  or  yielded 
the  mission.  Captain  Hale,  ambitious  to  serve  the 
cause  in  any  way  honorable  to  himself,  and  as  full  of 
intrepidity  and  daring  as  evei  was  Israel  Putnam,  of 
the  u  olden  time,"  stepped  forth,  and  volunteered  to 
act  as  a  courier.  It  was  deemed  rashness  by  Mitchell, 
and  was  considered  doubtful  by  Post ;  but  so  earnest 
was  Hale  to  venture  the  experiment,  that  both  con- 
sented, and  mounting  one  of  the  swiftest  cavalry 
horses  in  the  command,  he  started,  safely  reached 
McCook,  although  environed  with  perils,  and  several 


96  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

times  narrowly  escaping  death  or  capture ;  and  not 
only  did  he  this,  but  he  returned,  bearing  a  dispatch 
from  McCook.  Later  in  the  day  he  repeated  the 
adventure  as  satisfactorily  as  before,  and  received  the 
official  compliments  of  Post,  Mitchell,  Davis  and 
McCook. 

Captain  Hale's  reports  fully  satisfying  Post  and 
Mitchell  that  it  would  be  unwise  to  attempt  joining 
the  main  army,  the  two  forces  remained  together, 
moving  down  Chattanooga  Creek  into  Lookout  val- 
ley, resting  for  the  night  at  McCulloch's  house.  On 
the  21st  orders  were  received  from  Department  Head- 
quarters, directing  Colonel  Post  to  remain  with 
Mitchell.  Accordingly,  position  was  taken  beside 
Crook's  Division.  The  enemy  passed  in  heavy  force 
within  gun-shot  range,  but  did  not  attack  them.  At 
one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  22d,  Post  stationed 
his  command  at  the  cross-road  leading  to  Rossville, 
the  order  now  being  received  to  retire  to  Chatta- 
nooga. The  battle  of  Chickamauga  had  ended,  our 
•forces  were  already  in  Chattanooga,  and  the  enemy  was 
fast  taking  possession  of  Lookout  mountain  and  Mis- 
sionary Ridge.  Hence  it  was  of  the  most  vital  im- 
portance that  the  immense  wagon  trains  should  safely 
reach  the  army,  or  Chattanooga  would  have  to  be 
abandoned  for  want  of  immediate  transportation  and 
supplies.  While  Post  was  in  this  position,  the  cav- 
alry all  passed  to  the  rear.  He  then  resumed  the 
line  of  march,  but  had  not  proceeded  far  before  he 
came  upon  the  enemy  in  force,  who  now  had  posses- 


THE    AEMY    IN   ITS    NEW    POSITION.  97 

sion  of  the  road,  and  defended  it  with  a  battery  of 
artillery.  He  formed  line  of  battle  on  the  side  of 
the  road,  and  prepared  to  contest  its  occupancy. 
Gardner's  (Pinney's)  Battery  opened  with  all  six 
guns  with  such  good  effect,  that  the  rebel  battery 
retired,  yielding  the  right  of  way.  The  command 
then  moved  by  the  left  flank  on  the  right  of  the 
road,  Gardner's  artillery  in  it,  thus  being  able  to  re- 
form his  line  of  battle  instantly,  if  occasion  required. 
The  enemy's  artillery  soon  opened  again,  but  its 
shell  and  shot  passed  harmlessly  overhead,  and  the 
troops  safely  crossed  the  bridge  over  Chattanooga 
creek,  rejoining  the  division  at  one  o'clock  that 
afternoon. 

Upon  reporting  to  General  Davis,  the  brigade  was 
ordered  to  relieve  the  third  brigade  of  his  division, 
doing  duty  upon  the  skirmish  line,  and  that  after- 
noon and  night  thoroughly  intrenched  itself.  While 
doing  this  a  rebel  battery  sought  to  drive  it  away, 
but  McKnight's  section  of  artillery  caused  it  to  with- 
draw. 

The  army  was  now  safely  established  in  its  new 
position,  and  the  campaign  completed.  The  troops 
whose  course  we  have  traced,  although  they  did  not 
rush  into  the  fore-front  of  battle,  nevertheless  did  a 
most  important  duty.  And  their  willing  hearts, 
valor,  and  endurance  of  fatigue,  in  this  long  and 
perilous  march,  were  entitled  to,  and  did  receive,  the 
thanks  of  the  Commanding  General.  Had  the  enemy 
presumed  to  attack  them  while  they  were  holding 
7 


98  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

the  mountain  passes,  their  conduct  throughout  the 
campaign  justifies  the  assertion  that  they  would  have 
made  a  Spartan  defence. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


CHATTANOOGA  AND  ITS  SCENEEY EEOEGANIZATION  OF 

THE    ARMY POST'S   FAEEWELL    ADDEESS EEMOVAL 

TO    WHITESIDES. 


CHATTANOOGA  is  not  a  beautiful,  but  evidently  a  very 
pleasant  little  place  "  in  the  piping  time  of  peace  ;" 
in  time  of  war  the  town  itself  certainly  possesses 
no  great  charm.  Its  main  street  is  nearly  a  mile  in 
length,  and  constitutes  the  business  portion  of  the 
place.  Its  population  is  about  two  thousand,  and  its 
citizens  ordinarily  are  inspired  with  a  goodly  degree 
of  activity  and  spirit.  The  center  of  almost  the 
entire  system  of  Southern  railroads,  it  could  not  fail 
to  derive  importance  from  that  fact.  Besides,  it  is 
the  great  entrepot  of  vast  mines  of  coal  and  nitre. 

It  nestles  lovingly  beside  the  broad  and  beautiful 
Tennessee,  and  among  mountains  famous  for  the 
grandeur  of  their  scenery.  Three  miles  away  rises 
Lookout  mountain,  mighty  in  its  frowning  battle- 
ments/studded  with  the  foliage  of  the  cedar  and  oak, 
whose  shadows  sometimes  hang  heavily  across  it, 
deepening  its  beauty,  like  the  veil  of  a  nun.  To  the 


100  THE  SEVENTY-^IFTH   ILLINOIS. 

eastward  is  Missionary  Ridge,  not  so  lofty,  but  no 
less  pleasing  in  its  charms.  Across  the  Tennessee 
are  the  spurs — the  ground-swells  of  that  great  moun- 
tain range,  whose  grim,  black  walls  rise  upon  the 
vision  away  in  the  distance — the  Cumberland.  Such 
scenery  seen  in  autumn,  as  it  was  now  by  our  sol- 
diers, could  but  lift  the  soul  of  him  who  possessed  an 
ideal  nature  and  refined  culture  far  above  the  mere 
dross  of  worldly  things,  and  fill  him  with  something 
akin  to  inspiration.  Indian  summer  was  indeed 
existent,  "in  reality  as  in  name,"  and  scarce  a  morn- 
ing passed  but  a  vaporous  veil  of  mist  overhung 
mountain  and  stream,  reflecting  the  rich  and  fervid 
hues  of  the  forest  leaves,  giving  them  the  brilliancy 
and  glare  of  stained  glass  in  some  grand  old  cathe- 
dral of  Nature's  building.  There  is  a  sublimity  and 
awe  in  this  grand  landscape  which  can  seldom  be 
surpassed  anywhere  in  the  wide  world ;  and  old  Look- 
out strengthens  this  feeling,  as,  towering  through 
the  mist,  and  fog,  and  clouds,  like  Hawthorne's  great 
stone  face,  it  looks  down  so  fatherly  and  benignantly 
upon  us.  And  could  it  be  possible,  that  ere  long  a 
deadly  conflict  would  rage  upon  its  fore-front,  its 
forests  be  lurid  with  lightening  fires,  the  rebel  host, 
which  so  iguobled  it,  be  routed  from  its  resting-place, 
and  the  sacred  banner  of  E  Pluribus  Unum,  the  hal- 
lowed emblem  of  Freedom,  float  proudly  from  its  top- 
most peak? 

Practically,  Chattanooga  was  in  a  state  of  siege. 
The  enemy  extended  his  lines  from  the  Tennessee 


SEVERE   PRIVATIONS    OF    OUR   MEN.  101 

river,  east  of  Chattanooga,  to  the  river  at  and  below 
the  bold  promontory  of  Lookout,  west  of  Chatta- 
nooga. His  main  force  rested  principally  on  Mission- 
ary Bidge  and  Lookout  mountain,  with  extended 
lines  of  fortifications  at  their  base  in  Chattanooga 
valley.  In  Lookout  valley,  west  of  the  mountain,  a 
brigade  was  posted,  and  securely  intrenched.  His 
pickets  also  extended  along  the  river,  through  White- 
side,  Shell  Mound,  and  almost  to  Bridgeport,  thus 
holding  nearly  thirty  miles  of  the  Memphis  and 
Charleston  railroad,  compelling  our  army  to  rely  for 
its  supplies  on  wagon  trains  moving  from  Stevenson 
through  the  Sequatchy  valley,  and  over  the  Cumber- 
land mountains.  The  most  strenuous  exertions  of 
the  Quartermaster's  Department  could  not  furnish 
the  army  with  quarter  rations,  and  the  animals,  over- 
worked, and  actually  starved,  died  by  hundreds. 
Trains  were  frequently  twenty  days  on  the  route 
from  Stevenson,  a  distance  of  sixty  miles,  so  bad 
were  the  roads ;  and  as  each  must  be  accompanied 
with  a  guard,  the  instances  were  frequent  when  all 
the  provisions  on  the  train  were  consumed  ere  its 
arrival  at  Chattanooga,  and  the  men  compelled  to 
draw  rations  out  of  the  meagre  stock  in  the  commis- 
sary depots.  Indeed,  by  the  ,1st  of  November,  so 
reduced  were  the  public  animals,  that  they  could  not 
be  relied  upon  to  haul  the  empty  wagons,  and  more 
than  ten  thousand  of  them  strewed  the  road  from 
Chattanooga  to  Stevenson.  Scores  dropped  dead 
daily  in  the  streets  of  the  town.  The  soldiers,  too, 


102  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

suffered  severely,  especially  those  who  chanced  to  be 
there  unassigned  to  any  command.  Day  after  day 
they  consumed  the  pittance  furnished  them,  and  hun- 
dreds could  be  seen  following  the  track  of  the  wag- 
ons, and  picking  out  of  the  mud  the  kernels  of  coffee 
and  rice  which  scattered  from  broken  sacks  and  bar- 
rels. Hard  bread,  grown  moldy  and  rotten  from 
exposure"  to  the  rain  while  in  transitu,  and  which 
had  been  condemned  by  the  commissaries,  was  seized 
by  the  half-famished  soldiers,  and  eaten  with  avidity. 
A  squad  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  were  reduced  to  even 
greater  extremity  than  this.  The  regiment  had 
moved  down  the  river,  and  these  men,  unable  to 
march,  were  left  'behind.  Not  requiring  medical 
treatment,  they  were  not  admitted  to  hospital,  and 
for  some  reason  the  commissaries,  who  were  very 
fearful  lest  they  should  issue  a  starving  soldier  a 
ration  without  strictly  red  tape  authority,  would  not 
recognize  the  provision  returns  made  out  for  them, 
and  they  were  compelled  to  rely  upon  their  own  wits 
for  a  subsistence.  So  they  gathered  around  the 
slaughter  yards,  and  when  the  cattle  were  killed  for 
the  troops,  they  secured  the  tails  from  the  hides,  and 
gleaned  all  other  eatable  bits  that  were  left  with  the 
offal.  The  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Company  G  was  one 
of  the  squad,  and  by  force  of  circumstances  learned 
to  prepare  an  excellent  article  of  ox-tail  soup,  with- 
out the  facilities  of  a  first-class  restaurant. 

The  evacuation  of  Chattanooga  seemed  a  "  mili- 
tary necessity,"  and  more  than  once  it  was  seriously 


EEOEGANIZATION.  103 

contemplated.  Happily,  the  dogged  tenacity  of  our 
beloved  Rosecrans  butted  against  fate,  and  sustained 
the  siege.  His  successor,  that  "  tower  of  strength," 
the  noble  George  H.  Thomas,  was  equally  persistent ; 
and  when  General  Grant,  on  the  ,19th  of  October, 
telegraphed  him  to  "  hold  Chattanooga  at  all  haz- 
ards," his  reply  was,  "  I  will  hold  the  town  until  we 
starve !"  Most  noble  language,  and  grand  augury 
of  a  transcendent  victory. 

But  highly  important  changes  were  destined  soon 
to  occur — no  less  than  a  reorganization  of  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  the  destruction  of  two  corps  and 
several  division  organizations — commands  which  on 
the  field  of  battle  had  won  imperishable  glory  for 
the  National  arms. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  1863,  General  Rosecrans, 
under  orders  from  the  War  Department,  published 
an  order  discontinuing  the  Twentieth  and  Twenty- 
first  Army  Corps,  relieving  Generals  McCook  and 
Crittenden  from  their  commands,  and  consolidating 
these  divisions,  brigades  and  regiments  into  a  new 
organization,  entitled  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  Major 
General  Gordon  Granger  commanding.  It  was  the 
misfortune  of  the  FIRST  DIVISION  to  be  included  in 
this  humiliating  order.  It  was  much  to  be  regretted. 
But  the  chivalrous  men  whose  career  we  have  thus 
far  traced,  could  not  and  would  not  fail  to  prove 
equally  as  daring  in  glorious  deeds,  when  the  oppor- 
tunity should  present,  no  matter  what  the  organiza- 
tion under  which  they  were  known. 


104  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Colonel  Post's  Brigade  was  completely  disorgan- 
ized. The  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  was  assigned  to 
the  Third  Brigade,  First  Division,  Fourth  Army 
Corps,  Brigadier-General  William  Grose  command- 
ing ;  General  John  M.  Palmer  in  command  of  the 
division. 

We  possess  no  copy  of  General  Davis's  farewell 
address,  if  he  issued  one ;  but  Colonel  Post,  who  was 
greatly  esteemed  by  his  brigade,  issued  the  follow- 
ing. It  expresses  true  sentiments  and  lofty  patriot- 
ism, and  touched  a  tender  chord  in  the  hearts  of  his 
men  ;  and  he  retired  to  his  new  field  of  duty  with 
the  hearty  "God  bless  you!"  of  all  who  ever  knew 
him: 

"  HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  BRIGADE,  } 

FIRST  DIVISION,  20ra  ARMY  CORPS.       V 
CHATTANOOGA,  Oct.  16,  1863.  ) 
"  General  Order  No.  51. 

"  In  the  reorganization  of  the  army,  this  brigade  will  lose  its 
identity,  and  be  transferred  to  another  division  and  corps. 

"  Organized  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  more  than  a  year  ago,  it 
has  traversed  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  scaled  the  mountains  of 
Northern  Alabama  and  Georgia,  and  now  terminates  its  exist- 
ence on  the  south  bank  of  the  Tennessee.  The  ypar  during 
which  it  has  remained  intact  will  ever  be  remembered  as  that  in 
which  the  gallant  armies  of  the  "West  rolled  back  the  advancing 
hosts  of  rebellion,  and  extinguished  the  Confederacy  in  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi. 

"  In  accomplishing  this  glorious  achievement,  you — soldiers  of 
the  First  Brigade- — have  performed  no  mean  part.  On  the  labo- 
rious march  you  have  been  patient  and  energetic,  and  in  battle 
and  skirmish  second  to  none  in  stubborn  valor  and  success.  In 
one  year  you  lost  upon  the  battle-field  eight  hundred  and  fifty 
heroic  comrades. 


EOSECEANS    BELIEVED    FEOM    COMMAND.  105 

"  Baptized  in  blood  at  Perryville,  this  brigade  led  the  army  in 
pursuit^of  the  retreating  foe,  and  again  attacked  him  at  Lancaster, 
whence  he  fled  from  Kentucky.  In  the  mid-winter  campaign  it 
opened  the  battle  of  Stone  river  by  attacking  and  driving  the 
enemy  from  Nolensville,  and  on  the  memorable  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, together  with  the  rest  of  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  val- 
iantly met  the  attack  of  the  concentrated  opposing  army.  At 
Liberty  Gap,  and  in  the  late  battle  of  Chickamauga,  it  performed 
well  the  part  assigned  Jo  it,  and  finishes  its  honorable  career 
weaker  in  numbers,  but  strong  in  the  confidence  and  discipline 
of  veterans. 

"  For  the  able  and  hearty  cooperations  its  commander  has  re- 
ceived from  the  officers,  and  for  the  cheerful  support  yielded  by 
its  gallant  men,  he  returns  his  sincere  thanks.  No»  petty  jeal- 
ousies, no  intrigue  or  disorganizing  influences,  have- ever  dis- 
graced and  paralyzed  our  efforts  for  the  country's  cause  ;  and  the 
commander  unites  in  the  just  pride  which  all  feel  in  the  history 
of,  and  in  their  connection  with,  the  First  Brigade,  First  Divi- 
sion, Twentieth  Army  Corps. 

"  P.  SIDNEY  POST, 

"Colonel  Commanding  Brigade" 

The  new  brigade  to  which  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  was 
assigned  was  composed  of  the  Ninth,  Thirtieth,  and 
Thirty-sixth  Indiana,  the  Fifty-ninth,  Seventy-fifth, 
Eightieth  and  Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  and  the  Sev- 
enty-seventh Pennsylvania. 

On  the  25th  of  October  the  entire  division  moved 
across  the  river,  over  Walden's  ridge,  thence  across 
the  river  again,  one  brigade  securing  lodgment  at 
Shell  Mound,  another  at  Bridgeport,  while  the  third 
brigade  occupied  Whiteside.  During  this  trip,  Gen- 
eral Rosecrans  was  relieved  from  the  command  of 
the  army  by  General  Thomas,  and  General  Palmer 


106  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

assumed  command  of  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps. 
General  Charles  Cruft  was  temporarily  placed  in 
command  of  the  division. 

Whiteside  is  the  pame  of  a  small  station  on  the 
Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad,  fourteen  miles 
west  of  Chattanooga.  The  object  of  the  movement 
hither  was  to  hold  the  different  points  along  this 
road  so  far  as  practicable,  and  to  cover  the  move- 
ment of  General  Joseph  Hooker's  command  (the 
Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps  of  the  Potomac  Army) 
whose  duty  it  was  to  dislodge  the  rebels  from  Look- 
out mountain,  thus  aiding  in  raising  the  siege  of 
Chattanooga ;  also  to  reinforce  Hooker  in  his  move- 
ments, should  battle  ensue  and  help  be  needed. 

Whiteside  is  a  very  romantic  place — in  reality  no 
town,  but  a  succession  of  very  high  hills  with  narrow 
gorges,  through  which  a  small  stream  flows,  called 
"  Running  "Waters."  It  is  a  bleak,  dreary  region, 
but  its  hills  abound  in  mines  of  coal  and  nitre,  several 
of  which  were  partially  worked  before  the  rebellion ; 
also  considerably  during  its  progress.  Now  the  war 
is  ended,  the  indications  of  petroleum  are  founl  to 
be  very  strong,  and  much  excitement  prevails  in  that 
locality.  Several  mining  companies  have  been  organ- 
ized to  experiment  for  this  valuable  oil.  But  only 
in  a  military  point  of  view  was  it  held  by  our  forces. 
As  such,  General  Grose's  Brigade  remained  here, 

awaitino-  the  hour  for  a  new  call  to  arms,  and  the 
, 

eclat  of  another  enduring  success. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

THE  BATTLES  OF  LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN    AND    MISSIONARY 

RIDGE EINGGOLD HEART-SICKENING     SCENES     ON 

THE    OLD    CHICKAMAUGA  BATTLE-GROUND THE  WIN- 
TER  ENCAMPMENT    AT     WHITESIDE. 

MOST  memorable  among  the  many  grand  events  of 
this  war  is  the  series  of  brilliant  successes  achieved 
by  Major  General  U.  S.  Grant  and  his  able  corps  of 
subordinate  generals,  around  Chattanooga,  in  Octo- 
ber and  November,  1863. 

General  John  M.  Palmer,  with  a  portion  of  his 
command,  moved  down  the  north  bank  of  the  river 
to  Whiteside,  crossed  over  to  the  south  bank,  hold- 
ing the.  ground  passed  over  'by  Hooker's  command  in 
its  march  to  Whiteside  and  Wauhatchie,  thus  at  the 
same  time  practicing  a  feint  upon  the  enemy,  and 
guarding  against  any  attack  he  might  make  on  our 
communications,  owing  to  Hooker's  advance  from 
Bridgeport. 

In  the  meantime  a  force  under  the  direction  of 
General  W.  F.  Smith,  Chief  Engineer,  was  thrown 
across  the  river  below  Moccasin  Point,  and  at  or 


108  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

near  Brown's  Ferry,  to  seize  the  range  of  hills  at  the 
mouth  of  Lookout  valley.  The  seizure  of  these  hills 
was  of  the  highest  importance  to  us,  as  they  covered 
the  Brown's  Ferry  road  to  Wauhatchie  and  White- 
side,  and  would  enable  us  to  draw  supplies  by  a 
much  safer  and  shorter  route  than  the  mountain  roads 
over'Walden's  ridge.  It  also  afforded  a  shorter  line 
by  which  to  reinforce  our  troops  in  Lookout  valley, 
in  case  an  engagement  ensued. 

The  expedition  under  General  Smith,  on  the  night 
of  the  27th  of  October,  was  most  brilliant  in  charac- 
ter. It  consisted  of  a  force  of  eighteen  hundred  men, 
under  General  W.  B.  Hazen,  which,  in  sixty  pontoon 
boats,  containing  thirty  armed  men  each,  floated 
from  Chattanooga  quietly  down  the  river,  past  the 
grim-visaged  heights  of  Lookout  and  its  armed  sen- 
tries, landed  on  the  bank  below  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tain, seized  the  enemy's  pickets  stationed  there,  and 
the  adjacent  hills;  and  all  this  was  accomplished 
with  the  loss  of  only  four  or  five  men  wounded. 
Twenty-two  hundred  more,  under  General  Turchin, 
with  the  materials  for  a  bridge,  moved  down  to  Moc- 
casin Point,  thence  to  Brown's  Ferry,  unobserved  by 
the  enemy,  and  before  daylight  were  ferried  to  -the 
south  bank,  and  effected  a  lodgment,  securing  great 
advantages,  and  completely  astounding  the  enemy  at 
the  audacity  and  success  of  the  enterprise. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  Hooker  advanced  to  the 
position  assigned  him,  and  Bragg  found  himself  foiled 
in  his  scheme  of  starving  out  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 


CHAKGE   OF   THE   MULE   BRIGADE.  109 

berlaud.  He  saw  in  this  achievement  a  foreshadow- 
ing of  defeat.  To  regain  the  lost  ground  and  retrieve 
Ms  own  good  name,  were  now  the  foremost  things  to 
be  accomplished.  The  very  night  after  Hooker's 
arrival  in  the  valley,  Longstreet's  forces  attacked 
Geary's  Division ;  but  Geary's  men  displayed  great 
heroism,  and  repulsed  the  enemy.  But  this  was  not 
all.  General  Howard  directed  a  bayonet  charge  up 
the  heights  west  of  Lookout  creek.  The  hill  was 
more  than  two  hundred  feet  high,  and  defended  by 
two  lines  of  barricades.  Right  gallantly  our  heroes 
drove  the  enemy  out  of  his  defences,  off  the  hill  and 
down  into  Lookout  valley.  And  it  is  well  here  to 
mention  that  the  mules  of  Geary's  command  contrib- 
uted much  to  that  night's  success.  A  large  number 
of  them,  affrighted  by  the  noise  of  battle,  dashed 
into  the  ranks  of  Hampton's  rebel  legion,  causing 
much  dismay,  compelling  them  to  fall  back  under  a 
supposed  charge  of  cavalry.  Thus  handsomely  was 
accomplished  the  beginning  of  the  end  in  this  fear- 
ful crisis.  The  signs  were  auspicious,  foretelling  a 
glorious  victory. 

Finally,  on  the  23rd  of  November,  General  W.  T. 
Sherman's  Fifteenth  Army  Corps  having  arrived  in 
its  designated  position,  the  main  action  commenced. 
Sherman,  aided  by  Davis' s  Division  of  the  Four- 
teenth Corps,  safely  effected  a  lodgment  on  the  south 
bank  of  the  Tennessee,  above  Chattanooga,  and  near 
the  northern  terminus  of  Mission  Ridge.  Thence,  by 
a  skillful  movement,  he  established  himself  securely 


110  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

on  a  very  important  chain  of  hills,  the,  first  of  the 
series  leading  to  Mission  Ridge — the  main  point  in 
contest.  Here  he  fortified,  and  awaited  the  next 
day  to  resume  operations.  Thomas,  meantime,  was 
alert,  awaiting  the  developments  made  on  his  right 
and  left,  under  Hooker  and  Sherman. 

With  this  general  outline  of  the  situation,  we  will 
now  turn  to  recount  the  operations  under  the  indom- 
itable Hooker,  whose  mission  it  was  to  carry  the 
steep  and  wooded  heights  of  cloud-capped  Lookout. 

It  being  feared  that  the  enemy  had  discovered 
Sherman's  intention,  and  that  he  would  withdraw 
his  forces  on  Lookout  to  Mission  Ridge,  and  thus 
endeavor  to  crush  him,  Hooker  was  directed  to  take 
Osterhaus's  and  Geary's  Divisions,  and  Whittaker's 
and  Grose's  Brigades,  and  make  a  strong  demonstra- 
tion on  the  northern  slope  of  Lookout,  thus  attract- 
ing the  enemy's  attention,  leading  him  to  suppose 
this  to  be  the  real  point  of  attack,  and  thereby  pre- 
venting the  massing  against  Sherman.  Hooker  was 
instructed,  that  in  making  this  demonstration,  if  he 
found  the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy  favor- 
able to  carrying  the  mountain,  he  should  do  so. 

By  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  of 
November,  Hooker  reported  all  ready  for  an  advance. 
Lookout  creek,  swollen  by  the  rains,  was  found  to 
be  impassable ;  so  Geary's  Division,  supported  by 
Whittaker's  and  Grose's  Brigades,  under  General 
Cruft,  moved  down  to  Wauhatchie  to  cross  the  creek, 
while  the  balance  of  his  forces  constructed  a  tempo- 
rary bridge  across  the  creek  on  the  main  road. 


CROSSING  OF  LOOKOUT  CREEK.        Ill 

In  this  eventful  affair  it  is  our  duty  to  particular, 
ize  the  part  taken  by  the  gallant  brigade  under  that 
true  and  tried  soldier,  "  Old  Billy  Grose,"  as  the  sol- 
diers familiarly  called  him. 

Grose's  effective  force  in  the  affair  was  sixteen  hun- 
dred and  ninety -three  officers  and  men.  This  force 
moved  from  Whiteside  to  Lookout  valley  on  the  23rd 
instant,  and  bivouacked  near  Hooker's  headquarters. 
At  daylight  on  the  24th,  Grose  was  ordered  by 
Hooker  to  drive  the  enemy  from  a  crossing  at  a 
destroyed  bridge  on  Lookout  creek,  near  the  railroad 
crossing,  and  close  to  the  base  of  the  mountain. 
Grose,  nothing  doubting,  ordered  up  the  Eighty- 
fourth  Illinois,  closely  supported  by  the  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  the  former  in  line,  with  skirmishers 
in  front,  and  •  advanced  them  through  a  bayou,  or 
pond,  which  they  waded,  waist  deep,  driving  the 
enemy  under  cover,  and  gaining  a  foothold  on  the 
west  bank.  Captain  Chambers,  with  a  detail  of  the 
Thirty-sixth  Indiana,  undertook  to  repair  the  bridge, 
the  two  advance  regiments  sharply  skirmishing  with 
the  rebels.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  good  to 
be  effected  would  not  compensate  for  the  loss  of  life 
and  limb  which  would  ensue  in  maintaining  the  posi- 
tion, so  it  was  abandoned. 

Hooker  then  directed  Grose  to  proceed  up  the 
creek,  where  Wood's  command  was  preparing  to 
cross  by  constructing  a  pole  bridge,  which  was  nearly 
completed.  Some  poles  were  thrown  lengthwise 
over  the  gap,  on  which  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  and  the 


112  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Eighty-fourth  Illinois  crossed.  These  regiments  de- 
ployed into  line  of  battle,  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  with 
Company  E  on  the  skirmish  line.  Two  other  regi- 
ments of  the  brigade  followed,  prolonging  the  line  of 
battle  on  Wood's  right.  Grose  formed  his  command 
in  double  lines,  with  the  Thirty-sixth  Indiana  and 
the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois  in  advance,  filling  up  the 
interval  between  the  brigades  of  Whittaker  and 
Geary. 

The  line  thus  formed  moved  obliquely  up  the 
mountain  slope  in  most  splendid  style,  full  of  spirit, 
and  resolved  to  conquer.  What  cared  they  for  the 
enemy's  fierce  cannonade  and  musketry  hail  ?  The 
mountain  was  before  them,  and  there  also  the  foe. 
Theirs  the  task  to  scale  its  precipitous  side,  to  pierce 
through  the  thick  veil  of  fog  and  mist  which  hung 
heavily  upon  it,  and  behind  and  beyond  which  other 
forces  of  the  enemy  lay  in  ominous  silence,  waiting 
the  moment  when  they  should  illume  it  with  the 
lightning  flashes  from  thousands  of  muskets  and 
"  deep-mouthed  dogs  of  war."  It  was  veteran  against 
veteran.  The  day  was  full  of  peril ;  nay,  the  very 
air  was  charged  with  it,  and  ere  night  victory  must 
surely  settle  on  Union  or  rebel  banner. 

But  our  heroes  felt  that  God  was  with  them,  and 
like  Godfrey  de  Bouillon,  in  the  contest  of  the  Cru- 
sades, they  emblazoned  "  God  wills  it,"  on  their  stan- 
dards, and  staked  all  in  the  issue. 

Never  was  presented  a  nobler  sight.  Onward  they 
went,  and  upward,  sweeping  everything  before  them, 


THE   ENEMY    QUIETED.  113 

through  rebel  camps  and  over  rebel  pits,  still  press- 
ing the  foe,  who,  now  that  Geary  had  extended  his 
line  so  as  to  flank  their  last  line  of  pits,  surprised  at 
the  unthought-of  occurrence — the  "  Yankee  trick," — 
became  dismayed,  disheartened,  and  in  their  panic 
threw  away  their  arms  and  ran,  or  instantly  surren- 
dered. Nearly,  if  not  quite  two  thousand  men  were 
thus  entrapped,  and  made  prisoners  of  war. 

Then  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  and  Eighty-fourth  Illi- 
nois moved  forward  to  the  left,  covering  and  advanc- 
ing on  the  main  Chattanooga  road,  over  the  moun- 
tain slope,  opening  communication  with  Thomas's 
forces  in  Chattanooga  valley,  and  enabling  him  to 
send  reinforcements  when  necessary. 

So  full  of  enthusiasm  were  the  brave  men  of  the 
SEVENTY-FIFTH,  and  so  ardent  in  the  accomplishment 
of  great  deeds  were  Colonel  Bennet  and  his  officers, 
that  they  only  halted  when  imperatively  ordered  to 
do  so.  But  it  was  well  they  did,  for  isolated  as  they 
were,  a  serious  fate  might  have  awaited  them.  Near 
nightfall  Colonel  Grose  sent  the  Ninth  Indiana  and 
the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois  to  relieve  two  other  regi- 
ments who  were  immediately  under  ;the  high  ledge 
of  rocks  at  the  top  of  the  mountain.  These  two  regi- 
ments were  engaged  in  an  active  but  desultory  fire 
until  they  exhausted  their  ammunition,  when  the 
Thirty-sixth  Indiana  and  the  Twenty-fourth  Ohio 
relieved  them.  The  enemy  ceased  his  efforts  at  dis- 
lodgment  at  midnight,  and  silence  the  most  profound 
reigned  every  where. 


114  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Thus  gallantly  served  Grose's  Brigade.  The  con- 
fidence reposed  in  it  is  exemplified  in  the  fact  that 
ere  the  day's  battle  had  ended,  all  its  regiments  were 
in  the  front  line,  ready  for  danger  and  duty. 

At  daylight,  next  morning,  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
and  Eighty-fourth  Illinois  pushed  forward  on  a  recon- 
noissance,  to  develop  the  position  and  strength  of 
the  enemy.  They  captured  a  few  guards,  consider- 
able abandoned  camp  equipage,  and  several  boxes  of 
ammunition ;  but  the  enemy  had  evacuated  the  moun- 
tain, and  crossed  Chattanooga  valley  to  Mission 
Ridge.  This  fact  was  at  once  reported  to  Hooker, 
and  at  ten  o'clock  all  his  troops  started  for  Rossville, 
five  miles  distant,  at  the  base  of  Mission  Ridge,  and 
constituting  the  outlet  of  Chattanooga  valley. 

Meantime  the  "Stars  and  Stripes"  were  raised 
upon  old  Lookout's  highest  peak,  proclaiming  far 
and  wide  the  completeness  of  the  victory  won. 
Cheer  ascended  upon  cheer.  The  troops  at  Chatta- 
nooga, seeing  the  "old  flag"  proudly  floating  where 
but  yesterday  the  rebel  banner  was  displayed,  re- 
newed the  wild  acclaim,  thrilling  all  true  soldiers 
with  joy,  and  filling  traitor  hearts,  too,  with  ill 
omens,  as  it  swept  over  to  Mission  Ridge  in  utterance 
clear  and  sonorous. 

Yes,  Lookout  is  won.     Our  heroes  triumph. 

"  They  have   conquered  !   God's   own  legions  !  Well   their  foes 

might  be  dismayed, 

Standing  in  his  mountain  temple,  'gainst  the  terrors  of  his  aid ; 
And  the  clouds  might  fitly  echo  paean  loud  and  parting  gun, 
When,  from  upper  light  and  glory,  sank  the  traitor  host,  undone." 


PLAN   OF   ACTION   AT   MISSION  RIDGE.  115 

There  was  a  definite  object  in  Hooker's  moving  to 
Rossville.  Sherman  had  been  stubbornly  fighting  at 
the  north  end  of  Mission  Ridge,  and  by  noon  had 
carried  its  summit,  so  he  could  overlook  Chattanooga, 
and  view  Thomas's  force  as  it  lay  in  the  valley.  As 
soon  as  Hooker  should  arrive  at  Rossville  he  was  to 
change  direction,  and  with  his  left  in  Chattanooga 
valley,  his  center  and  right  covering  Mission  Ridge, 
move  northward,  striking  the  enemy  in  flank  and 
rear,  until  meeting  the  center  of  our  lines,  or  advance 
as  near  as  possible.  Then,  Sherman  having  by  his  per- 
sistent attacks  caused  Bragg  to  weaken  his  center, 
Thomas,  with  strong  columns,  was  to  assault  and 
carry  the  ridge  in  his  front,  thus  breaking  the  rebel 
center,  and  hurling  Bragg's  shattered  columns  back 
upon  Sherman  and  Hooker,  making  the  capture  of 
his  entire  army  almost  a  certainty.  '  Hooker's  col- 
umn, after  working  for  four  hours  in  rebuilding  the 
crossing  over  Chattanooga  creek,  arrived  at  the 
designated  point  about  three  o'clock.  Osterhaus 
was  in  the  advance,  and  engaged  the  enemy  as  he 
reached  the  gorge.  The  rebels  were  soon  routed, 
and  the  passage  made.  Coming  to  Mission  Ridge 
proper,  Cruft's  command  changed  direction,  and 
moved  at  a  right  angle  with  the  road.  The  ridge 
ascended,  a  volley  of  musketry  announced  that  the 
enemy  had  again  made  a  stand,  and  Cruft's  cavalry 
escort  fled  precipitately  to  the  rear.  Grose's  Brigade 
advanced  in  tliree  lines,  the  Ninth  Indiana  and  the 
Fifty-ninth  Illinois  in  the  advance,  and  the  SEVENTY- 


116  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

FIFTH  ILLINOIS  in  the  tliird  line.  The  advance,  full  of 
courage,  charged  the  enemy  with  the  bayonet,  driv- 
ing him  from  two  lines  of  barricades,  inflicting  severe 
loss  and  taking  many  prisoners.  Soon  Hooker's 
whole  column  was  in  motion  northward,  and  the 
advance  was  rapid.  The  rebels,  though  stoutly 
resisting,  were  forced  back  constantly  >  until  at  night- 
fall, Hooker's  and  Thomas's  right  Division — General 
R.  W.  Johnson's — were  within  eight  hundred  yards 
of  each  other.  A  force  of  near  four  thousand  rebels 
now  found  themselves  in  a  terrible  dilemma,  and, 
graciously  as  possible,  surrendered. 

The  battle  was  now  ended,  and  the  troops  bivou- 
acked for  the  night.  The  prisoners  were  disposed  of, 
the  wounded  cared  for,  the  dead  buried. 

The  victory  was  complete ;  one  of  the  grandest  in 
the  war.  Two  formidable  mountains  had  been  car- 
ried by  assault,  and  the  enemy  routed.  His  losses 
were  severe,  although  in  killed  and  wounded  not  as 
heavy  as  our  own.  He  had  lost  more  than  six  thou- 
sand prisoners,  forty  cannon,  sixty-nine  artillery  car- 
riages and  caissons,  and  seven  thousand  stand  of 
small  arms.  The  balance  of  his  forces,  greatly 
demoralized,  withdrew  during  the  night^oward  King- 
gold,  Georgia. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  Granger's  Corps  was 
ordered  to  the  relief  of  Burnside,  at  Knoxville,  who 
wras  besieged  by  Longstreet,  while  Sherman  and 
Thomas  pursued  Bragg — the  former  by  way  of  Chick- 
amauga,  the  latter  by  way  of  Grayville. 


ENGAGEMENT   AT   KINGGOLD.  117 

Sunset  found  our  troops  in  Pea-vine  valley.  The 
deep  mud  and  dense  underbrush  of  this  region 
demanded  slow  movement.  Grose  had  closely  sup- 
ported the  advance  all  day,  and  skirmishing  with  the 
enemy's  rear  guard  was  frequent.  That  night  the 
brigade  bivouacked  in  battle  order,  with  a  heavy 
skirmish  line  in  front,  three  companies  of  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH aiding  in  this  duty. 

While  here,  on  guard,  a  rebel  soldier  and  some 
citizens  were  groping  about  in  the  dark  for  aban- 
doned forage,  and  unconsciously  ran  into  the  picket 
line  of  Company  A.  They  were  captured,  and  feel- 
ing very  sore  at  this  discomfiture,  revealed  the  fact 
that  many  more  soldiers  were  at  their  houses,  half  a 
mile  distant.  Colonel  Bennett  pushed  Company  A 
forward  cautiously  through,  the  brush,  and  directed 
Corporal  George  G.  Messer,  a  most  trusty  soldier,  to 
move  a  few  paces  in  advance,  to  draw  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  should  there  be  a  concealed  force  awaiting 
them.  They  soon  reached  the  houses,  and  captured 
the  soldiers  there  without  harm  to  a  single  one  of 
our  own  men.  The  night  was  intensely  dark,  and 
the  mission  perilous,  but  handsomely  accomplished. 

On  the  27th  the  troops  moved  to  Einggold.  Here 
the  rebels  rwere  found  strongly  posted,  and  Oster- 
haus's  Division  became  seriously^engaged.  The  bat- 
tle lasted  for  four  hours,  and  was  desperately  fought. 
At  last  the  enemy  were  flanked  and  forced  to  retreat, 
but  we  lost  many  valuable  men.  Here  the  Thir- 
teenth Illinois  distinguished  itself  for  bravery.  Here, 


118  THE  SEVENTY-JFIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

too,  the  noble  Major  Bushnell,  a  fine  soldier  and  popu- 
lar officer,  fell,  a  sacrifice  upon  our  country's  altar. 
That  night  Grose's  command  lay  in  the  town  of 
Ringgold.  On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  by  request 
of  General  Osterhaus,  Company  A,  Captain  Parker, 
was  sent  off  to  the  right  of  his  position,  to  watch  the 
enemy,  lest  he  should  pass  through  a  gorge  in  the 
mountains,  and  turn  his  flank.  The  rebels  were 
plainly  visible  a  greater  part  of  the  day,  but  no  effort 
was  made  in  that  direction.  The  company  returned 
at  night.  On  the  29th  Grose's  Brigade  moved  in 
advance  of  the  column,  pursuing  and  skirmishing 
with  the  enemy  to  Tunnel  Hill,  where  a  division  was 
found  strongly  posted,  and  prepared  to  contest  the 
ground. 

The  pressure  upon  Burnside  being  very  great,  and 
the  necessity  urgent  for  more  troops  to  be  sent  to  his 
aid,  General  Grant  ordered  Sherman  to  move  toward 
Knoxville,  and  directed  Hooker  to  push  the  enemy, 
but  not  to  risk  a  general  engagement. 

The  campaign  was  now  ended.  Hooker's  troops 
remained  at  Rings-old  until  the  evening  of  Novem- 

OO  O 

ber  30th,  when  they  were  ordered  back  to  their 
old  encampments,  as  before  the  battle.  On  the 
return,  Grose  crossed  the  memorable  field  of  Chick- 
amauga,  and  halted  there  a  day,  to  bury  the  dead 
of  that  carnage  field. 

The  marks  of  that  fearful  strife  were  still  visible. 
Here  and  there  were  lines  of  barricades  hastily  con- 
structed ;  the  ground  was  strewed  with  knapsacks, 


OUR   TTNBURIED   DEAD.  119 

haversacks,  pieces  of  clothing,  fragments  of  harness, 
canteens,  tin  plates  bullet-pierced,  round  shot  and 
unexploded  shell.  Here,  too,  were  straps,  buckles, 
cartridge-boxes,  old  socks  and  old  shoes,  rotting  let- 
ters— all  sad  signs,  and  all  telling  their  sad  but  silent 
story  of  the  great  fight  at  Chickamauga.  What  a 
crowd  of  sorrowful  memories  press  upon  the  mind 
and  sicken  the  heart  at  their  contemplation  !  Then, 
indeed,  can  be  felt  the  wing  of  the  Death-angel  as 
the  gloom  shadow  flits  over  the  soul.  Where  is  the 
brave  soldier  who  wore  that  mud-stained  belt  ? 
Where  the  one  who  wore  those  shoes  ?  Is  he  cold 
in  death  ?  If  so,  what  eyes  have  been  bedimmed  at 
his  sad  fate  !  What  hopes  have  been  destroyed, 
what  affections  crushed,  what  hearts  wrung  with 
anguish,  never  more  to  brighten  ! 

But  sadder  sights  than  these  greeted  our  brave 
boys  as  they  passed  over  the  field  of  battle.  Sadder 
thoughts,  too,  filled  their  minds — the  unburied  re- 
mains of  hundreds  of  Union  soldiers.  Here,  full- 
length  skeletons  lay  side  by  side;  .there,  skulls 
"  touched  each  other  like  the  cheeks  of  sleepers." 
In  some  places  the  head  and  feet  were  visible ;  in 
other,  the  trunks  only,  of  human  bodies.  Others, 
again,  had  been  covered  so  slightly  that  the  swine 
had  rooted  them  out,  and  the  remains  lay  scattered 
about  in  promiscuous  heaps. 

The  rebels  remained  masters  of  the  field,  and  it 
was  their  duty  to  have  given  a  decent  interment  to 
our  dead.  Their  own  were  generally  well  interred  ; 


120  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

but  on  our  right  and  right  center  they  had  neglected 
the  burial  of  their  own  as  well  as  our  dead.  What 
shameful  negligence  !  What  awful  guilt  must  weigh 
down  the  necks  of  those  who  could  thus  cruelly  leave 
the  mangled  bodies  of  human  beings,  friend  and  foe 
alike,  to  decompose  in  the  hot  sun  and  the  chill  night 
air,  and  their  bones  to  bleach  upon  the  plain  !  God 
pity  and  have  mercy  upon  them !  Justice  will  be 
done.  And  you,  fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  sisters, 
sweethearts,  what  think  you  ?  And  my  country, 
how  beats  thy  great  heart  ? J  Oh  remember  thy  fallen 
braves ! 

"  Lay  the  laurel  on  their  cold  brows, 

Honored  martyrs  to  their  Union  vows — 
The   brave   soldiers  whose  lives  on  their  country's  shrine  were 

given ; 

Bow  the  head  and  drop  the  tear, 
As  you  plant  banners  o'er  the  bier 
Of  the  patriot  whose  spirit  soars  with  angel  wings  to  heaven." 

This  last  sad  task  ended,  the  command  returned 
to  Whiteside,  where  it  arrived  on  the  2d  of  Decem- 
ber. On  the  return,  Companies  C  and  H  were  de- 
tached, and  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Bannister, 
gathered  up  the  abandoned  rebel  property — stores, 
caissons,  ammunition,  etc. — taking  it  to  Chattanooga. 
Here  it  enjoyed  a  respite  for  a  season. 

In  the  battle  the  brigade  captured  seven  hundred 
and  seventy-seven  prisoners.  Its  loss  was  surpris- 
ingly small,  and  can  only  be  accounted  for  in  the 


KETUEN  TO  CAMP  DUTIES.          121 

fact  that  the  audacity  of  our  men  in  charging  what 
were  considered  impregnable  defences,  astonished 
and  demoralized  the  enemy.  Four  were  killed  and 
sixty  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  was 
but  two  wounded.  With  a  full  consciousness  of  hav- 
ing done  their  whole  duty  in  this  hour  of  peril,  the 
soldiers  now  quietly  performed  their  accustomed 
camp  duties,  biding  the  time  when  they  should  again 
be  called  forth  to  meet  the  foe,  and  strike  another 
blow  for  the  Constitution  and  the  Union. 


CHAPTER    X. 


THE  WINTER    ENCAMPMENT  AT  WHITESIDE MOVEMENT 

TO     CHAELESTON     AND     BLUE      SPEINGS EECONNOIS- 

SANCE     IN    FEONT      OF     DALTON OEGANIZATION     OF 

THE     PIONEEE    COMPANY PEEPAEATIONS     FOE     THE 

ATLANTA    CAMPAIGN. 

WHITESIDE  is  situated  on  the  Charleston  and  Mem- 
phis railroad,  and  is  equi-distant  from  Chattanooga 
and  Bridgeport.  It  is  not  really  a  village,  although 
there  are,  perhaps,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  depot,  one 
hundred  inhabitants.  It  is  a  wild,  romantic  spot, 
environed  by  high,  cone-shaped  hills,  well  wooded, 
which  yield  abundant  coal.  Mines  have  been  started, 
but  they  are  only  nominally  worked.  Northern 
enterprise  will  yet  develop  their  rich  resources. 
Through  the  valley  at  the  base  of  these  hills  winds  a 
stream  called  Running  Waters.  Where  the  railroad 
crosses  it  is  a  deep  gorge,  more  than  one  hundred 
feet  deep,  and  the  bridge  which  spanned  it  had  been 
destroyed  by  order  of  General  Rosecrans,  during  the 
Chickamauga  campaign.  '  It  was  a  serious  task  now 
to  rebuild  it,  so  as  to  facilitate  supplies  to  the  main 


CONSTRUCTION   OF  BEIDGES.  123 

army  at  Chattanooga.  This  work  was  intrusted  to 
the  energetic  bridge-builders,  Boomer  and  Company, 
of  Chicago,  and  many  of  the  men  in  the  regiments 
had  opportunity  to  aid  the  work,  not  by  detail  and 
compulsory  labor,  but  voluntarily  and  with  compen- 
sation. The  soldiers  of  the  brigade  engaged  in  its 
'construction  were  under  the  charge  of  Major  James 
A.  Watson,  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  a  man 
selected  by  Colonel  William  Grose  expressly  for  his 
competency  and  energy  in  work  of  this  character. 
It  was  completed  about  the  first  of  February,  and 
since  then  the  trains  have  traversed  the  road  unim- 
peded, and  the  troops  have  never  since  seen  Point 
Starvation  quite  so  plainly  as  before.  All  the  tim- 
ber for  this  bridge  of  such  great  height  and  length 
(being  nearly  four  hundred  feet),  was  cut  from  the 
adjacent  forests,  hewed  and  fitted  to  its  place  mostly 
by  the  exertions  of  this  brigade.  It  is  worthy  of 
commendation.  While  here,  the  non-veterans  of  the 
Fifty-ninth  Illinois  infantry,  a  detachment  of  seventy- 
four  men,  were  assigned  to  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH,  remain- 
ing with  it  from  January  29th  to  April  16th,  prov- 
ing themselves  worthy  peers  in  morality,  bravery 
and  fidelity  to  duty.  They  were  under  command  of 
Lieutenant  Blodgett,  of  Company  E. 

This  completed,  another  field  of  duty  lay  before 
them.  The  construction  of  other  bridges  was  neces- 
sary. To  guard  those  engaged  in  rebuilding  these, 
the  First  Division  was  moved  up  to  Charleston,  arriv- 
ing there  on  the  3rd  of  February.  Two  days  after 


124  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

the  command  returned  to  Blue  Springs,  four  miles 
south  of  Cleveland,  where  it  remained  until  the  3rd 
of  May. 

While  lying  here,  the  second  and  third  brigades  of 
the  division  aided  in  making  a  most  important  recon- 
noissance  near  Dalton,  Georgia.  The  object  of  this 
was  simply  to  ascertain  the  precise  locality  of  the 
enemy's  forces,  and  the  nature  of  his  defences.  The 
second  and  third  brigades  of  the  Fourth  Corps  par- 
ticipated in  it.  The  third  brigade,  under  Colonel 
Grose,  left  Blue  Springs  on  the  morning  of  the  22d 
of  February,  with  the  additional  strength  of  the 
Eightieth  Illinois,  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kilgore, 
of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois,  and  Battery  H,  Fourth 
United  States  Artillery,  Lieutenant  Heilman  com- 
manding. The  former  had  been  placed  temporarily 
with  the  brigade.  It  had  been  captured  the  spring 
before,  in  the  famous  Streight  raid  to  Rome,  and  the 
officers  had  not  yet  been  exchanged.  The  total  force 
of  the  brigade  in  this  affair  numbered  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  ninety-six  officers  and  men.  The  brigade  was 
in  the  advance,  the  Thirty-sixth  Indiana  in  front.  It 
arrived  at  Red  Clay,  or  "  Council  Ground,"  at  12.30 
p.m. ;  thence  it  moved  toward  Dalton,  to  feel  the 
enemy.  At  Wade's  house,  three  miles  beyond,  the 
enemy's  pickets  were  found.  These  were  driven 
back,  and  a  company  of  the  Fourth  Michigan  Cav- 
alry, by  order  of  Colonel  Grose,  pursued  them  rapidly 
a  mile  and  a  half.  It  being  near  night,  the  com- 
mand then  withdrew  to  Red  Clay,  and  bivouacked. 


ADVANCE   TOWAKDS   BUZZAKD's   ROOST.  125 

On  the  23rd  the  reconnoissance  was  pushed  in  an- 
other direction.  The  two  brigades  moved  twelve 
miles  westward,  near  Catoosa  Springs,  to  form  a 
junction  with  the  Fourteenth  Army  Corps,  arriving 
there  about  nine  o'clock  at  night. 

The  next  morning  the  two  brigades  counter- 
marched some  six  miles  to  Lee's  house ;  thence 
moved  south-east,  toward  Dalton.  To  move  upon 
Dalton  in  front  was  impracticable,  as  it  is  covered  by 
an  inaccessible  ridge,  presenting  one  continued  line 
of  rock  epaulments,  and  known  as  Rocky  Face. 
Through  this  ridge  there  is  a  canon,  or  pass,  called 
Buzzard's  Roost,  lying  between  Tunnel  Hill  and 
Dalton.  North  of  Tunnel  Hill  the  ridge  is  passa- 
ble, and  here  Grose  passed  his  command.  The  coun- 
try is  very  mountainous,  it  being  little  less  than  a 
constant  succession  of  hills  and  narrow  ravines  or 
valleys.  Having  crossed  two  of  these  hills,  Grose 
pushed  down  a  road  running  south,  and  at  Neal's 
house  joined  Colonel  Long  with  six  hundred  cavalry. 
Neal's  farm  is  six  miles  north-west  of  Dalton,  and  three 
miles  from  the  Dalton  and  Chattanooga  railroad. 
Both  advanced  on  the  wagon  road  until  beyond  Davis's 
house,  where  it  crosses  to  the  west  side  of  the  ridge. 
Some  five  hundred  yards  from  its  western  base,  a 
deep  gorge,  through  which'  Mill  Creek  flows,  sepa- 
rates it  from  another,  beyond  which  is  the  valley 
which  farther  on  forms  Buzzard's  Roost.  The  col- 
umn steadily  advanced  along  this  ridge,  with  Long  in 
front,  driving  the  enemy  from  all  the  ground  north 


126  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

of  the  creek.  Arriving  in  the  valley,  Long  deployed 
to  the  right,  along  the  base  of  the  hills  to  the  west, 
while  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  and  Eighty-fourth  Illinois 
moved  down  the  valley  on  the  left  of  the  cavalry, 
covering  the  slope  of  the  eastern  ridge  with  skirmish- 
ers, thus  protecting  the  right  flank  of  the  line.  The 
Twenty-fourth  Ohio  supported  the  cavalry.  Sharp 
skirmishing  ensued,  the  rebels  constantly  falling 
back,  until  they  were  forced  out  of  their  camps  at 
the  railroad.  This  advanced  line  was  firmly  main- 
tained for  some  time,  when  the  enemy,  realizing 
Grose's  intention,  began  to  move  his  infantry  upon 
him.  The  engagement  now  became  lively ;  but  the 
skirmishers  evinced  so  much  pluck  that  with  the  aid 
of  the  artillery  they  were  halted  and  forced  under 
cover.  It  was  now  ascertained  that  Stewart's  rebel 
division  was  posted  in  their  front,  with  Stevenson's  • 
near  at  hand.  Reinforcements  were  not  within  quick 
supporting  distance ;  night,  too,  was  again  throwing 
its  sable  mantle  over  the  weary  combatants,  so  it  was 
deemed  prudent  to  retire. 

Kilgore,  with  the  Eightieth  Illinois  and  the  cav- 
alry, was  left  at  Neal's  farm  ;  the  remainder  halting 
further  back,  at  the  widow  Burke's.  Here  the  facts 
were  reported  to  the  commanding  general,  and  orders 
awaited. 

Early  on  the  25th,  General  Cruft  joined  Colonel 
Grose  with  the  balance  of  the  division,  and  4he 
advance  commenced.  Kilgore  had  ascertained  that 
the  rebels  occupied  the  ridge  beyond  Davis's  house, 


AN  IMPOSING   SPECTACLE.  127 

and  that  his  line  extended  a  full  mile  to  the  north. 
Nearing  this  point,  the  division  formed  in  battle 
order — Grose's  Brigade  on  the  ridge  to  the  right, 
covering  the  summit  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
eastern  slope,  with  the  Thirtieth  Indiana,  the  Sev- 
enty-fifth and  Eightieth  Illinois  in  the  front  line,  and 
the  Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  Twenty-fourth  Ohio  and 
Thirty-sixth  Indiana  in  the  second  line.  The  second 
brigade,  Colonel  Champion,  deployed  on  his  left,  with 
Long's  cavalry  extending  his  left,  while  the  first 
brigade,  Colonel  Dickerman,  served  as  a  reserve.  It 
was  now  nine  in  the  morning,  when  General  Palmer 
appeared  on  the  field  and  requested  Colonel  Grose  to 
meet  him.  They  met  and  consulted,  in  front  of  the 
skirmish  line.  At  eleven  o'clock  Baird's  Division 
joined  Grose  on  the  right,  and  the  bugles  sounded 
Forward  !  Then  was  presented  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  imposing  scenes  ever  witnessed  by  man.  The 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  was  the  "  battalion  of  direc- 
tion," and  the  movement  left  oblique,  treading  the 
crest  of  the  ridge.  Far  to  the  right  and  the  left, 
over  the  hills  and  through  the  valleys,  were  the  long 
lines  of  blue  coats,  their  bayonets  and  sabres  glisten- 
ing with  the  sunbeams  ;  while  in  the  valley  beyond, 
and  on  its  background  of  hills,  were  the  hosts  of  the 

O  ' 

enemy,  prepared  to  try  titles  to  the  passage. 

Hardly  was  the  line  in  motion,  when  the  fire  of 
musketry  began,  constantly  growing  sharper  and 
heavier,  intermingled,  too,  with  the  thunder  of  artil- 
lery ;  clouds  of  smoke  ascended  toward  heaven  from 


128  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

either  side,  as  if  invoking  aid  from  the  great  God  of 
battles.  This  affair  did  not  assume  the  dignity  of  a 
battle,  but  was,  nevertheless,  quite  decisive  in  its 
results.  The  enemy  could  not  withstand  the  prowess 
of  the  Federal  heroes,  and  were  constantly  forced 
from  one  position  to  another,  for  at  least  a  mile  and 
a  half.  During  the  action  Major  Watson  was  severely 
hurt  by  the  falling  of  a  limb  which  a  cannon  ball 
had  struck  down,  and  several  were  wounded.  Ere 
the  conflict  ceased  night  again  set  in,  and  General 
Palmer  reporting  that  the  object  of  the  reconnois- 
sance  was  gained,  the  entire  force  withdrew  to  the 
west  of  Tunnel  Hill,  and  rested  for  the  night.  Once 
during  this  day's  affair,  Companies  A,  F  and  D  were 
on  the  skirmish  line,  and  elated  with  their  success, 
charged  the  rebel  lines,  scattering  them  pell-mell, 
Company  F  capturing  two  prisoners.  Companies  C, 
H  and  I  were  also  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  behaved 
nobly.  On  this  day,  Sergeant  Oscar  A.  Seely,  of 
Company  C,  who  is  noted  for  his  cool  bravery,  was 
struck  in  the  back  by  a  musket  ball,  which  passed 
through  his  body,  coming  out  just  above  the  groin, 
and  then  through  his  right  arm  near  the  wrist.  In 
this  condition  he  walked  back  to  the  rear  unsup- 
ported, bearing  with  him  his  gun  and  accoutrements. 
On  the  26th,  the  Surgeon  of  the  regiment,  a  French- 
man, Octave  P.  F.  Eavenot,  a  genial  man  and  a  good 
doctor,  but  quite  eccentric  in  his  manners,  was  sent 
to  look  after  a  man  wounded  the  day  before,  and  on 
his  return  was  captured  by  Wheeler's  cavalry.  He 


GRAND  CAMPAIGN  PREPARATION.  129 

rejoined  the  command  on  the  13th  of  September, 
1864. 

On  the  26th  Grose's  Brigade  moved  south  a  mile 
on  the  ridge,  encountering  some  rebel  cavalry,  and 
drove  them  out  of  sight  and  hearing.  That  night 
Grose  moved  to  the  old  "  Stone  Church,"  near 
Catoosa  Springs.  On  the  27th  the  brigade  started 
for  Blue  Springs,  where  it  arrived  on  the  28th,  and 
settled  quietly  down  in  its  olden  routine  of  duties. 

In  this  affair  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  displayed  the 
heroism  and  endurance  which  ever  have  character- 
ized it,  and  received  mention  in  the  reports  of  supe- 
rior officers.  Its  casualties  were  seven  wounded,  in- 
cluding Major  Watson,  beside  the  surgeon  captured. 
From  this  time  until  the  first  of  May  nothing  of 
importance  transpired.  The  army  was  slowly  recruit- 
ing its  strength  for  another  and  grander  campaign 
than  had  ever  yet  been  attempted  during  this  war  ; 
one  which,  in  fact,  has  never  been  surpassed,  if  ever 
equaled,  in  the  annals  of  European  warfare. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


OPENING  OF  THE  ATLANTA  CAMPAIGN — THE  BATTLES 
OF  BUZZAED  ROOST,  EOCKY  FACE,  EESACA,  PUMPKIN 
VINE  CEEEK  AND  DALLAS SUCCESS  OF  THE  "  MOVA- 
BLE COLUMN." 


ON  the  14th  of  March,  1864,  General  W.  T.  Sher- 
man received  notice  from  General  Grant  that  he  had 
been  appointed  as  commander  of  the  Department  of 
the  Mississippi.  Sherman  immediately  proceeded  to 
Nashville  and  held  a  conference  with  General  Grant, 
at  which  a  full  understanding  was  had  of  the  policy 
and  plans  of  the  ensuing  campaigns,  Sherman's  part 
of  which  extended  from  Chattanooga  to  Vicksburg. 

The  troops  destined  to  operate  in  this  campaign 
were  designated  as  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  Gen- 
eral McPherson ;  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  Gen- 
eral Thomas ;  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  General 
Schofield.  These  commanders  were  visited,  and  the 
lines  of  operation  explained  to  them  ;  garrisons  were 
appointed  to  guard  the  lines  of  railroad;  Chatta- 
nooga was  established  as  a  secondary  base,  and  the 
storehouses  were  filled  with  supplies  to  overflowing. 


THE    ATLANTA   CAMPAIGN.  131 

Finally,  in  the  last  days  of  April,  Sherman  received 
a  letter  from  Grant,  announcing  that  on  the  5th  of 
May  he  should  move  upon  the  enemy  from  his  camp 
near  Culpepper,  Virginia,  and  desired  him  to  do  the 
same.  Accordingly,  on  the  29th  of  April,  Sherman 
had  all  the  troops  of  the  Armies  of  the  Ohio  and 
Tennessee  en  route  for  Chattanooga,  and  on  the  6th 
day  of  May  the  campaign  was  fairly  commenced. 

There  was  now  upon  the  line  of  march  to  Dalton 
a  force  of  98,797  men,  and  254  cannon,  all  under  the 
orders  of  General  W.  T.  Sherman. 

This  army,  now  prepared  to  advance  South,  was 
the  largest,  and  by  far  the  best  appointed  force  that 
our  Government  had  ever  yet  placed  under  the  com. 
mand  of  a  single  general  officer,  to  undertake  either 
regular  operations  or  an  adventure. 

For  an  army  whose  object  is  to  withstand  the 

march  of  invaders  who  came  from  the  north,  the 

• 

position  in  and  about  Dalton  is  happily  formed  by 
nature,  and  capable  of  being  made  very  strong  by 
art. 

I  have  before  mentioned  that  Dalton  was  protected 
in  front  by  a  high,  inaccessible  ridge,  whose  summit 
is  faced  by  a  steep  ledge  of  rocky  epaulments  known 
as  Rocky  Face.  The  only  pass  at  or  near  this  point 
is  Buzzard's  Roost,  through  which  passes  the  rail  and 
wagon  roads.  Mill  Creek  also  flows  through  it,  and 
was  now  of  great  sendee  to  the  rebels.  The  valley 
itself  being  narrow,  was  thoroughly  obstructed  by 
abattis,  and  was  flooded  by  dams  built  across  this 


132  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

stream.  It  was  thoroughly  commanded  by  batteries 
located  upon  the  hills  and  acclivities,  whose  fire  could 
penetrate  its  entire  length,  and  into  all  its  narrow 
ravines  and  winding  gullies.  A  skillful  engineer  had 
doubtless  exhausted  his  contrivances  for  the  defence 
of  a  ground  having  all  this  natural  strength  of  fea- 
ture. So  much  in  favor  of  its  defence.  It  was  unde- 
niably safe  against  any  attack  that  could  be  made  in 
front  or  immediately  in  flank.  Johnston's  forces  con- 
sisted of  three  corps  of  infantry  and  artillery,  viz : 
Hardee's,  Hood's  and  Folk's,  together  with  Wheeler's 
Cavalry  Corps,  making  a  total  strength  of  55,000 
men.  I  have  no  data  by  which  to  estimate  the  num- 
ber of  his  guns.  This  was  the  force  to  be  overcome  or 
destroyed.  Sherman  was  too  wise  a  general  to  mass 
his  army  for  an  attack  against  such  a  position,  where 
defeat  would 'be  an  inevitable  consequence,  and  the 
hills  and  valleys  in  contest  run  red  with  brave  men's 
blood. 

Against  Johnston's  plan  of  occupying  this  range 
of  hills,  covering  Dalton  with  the  forces  at  his  com- 
mand, there  were  two  cogent  reasons  :  one  was,  that 
the  Federal  troops  greatly  outnumbered  his  own : 
the  other,  that  the  position  which,  in  consequence  of 
this,  he  would  be  required  to  cover,  was  too  extended 
for  the  number  he  had  to  defend  it. 

Understanding  the  physical  obstacles  to  this  front 
movement,  Sherman  resolved  upon  turning  the  ene- 
my's flank.  Accordingly,  McFherson  was  ordered  to 
move  from  his  position  at  Gordon's  Mill,  via  Ship's 


THE   PIONEEK   COMPANY.  133 

f 

Gap,  Villanow  and  Snake  Creek  Gap,  directly  on 
Resaca,  or  to  any  point  below  Dalton  on  the  line  of 
railroad,  and  meeting  the  enemy,  make  a  bold  attack ; 
or  failing  in  this,  to  destroy  the  road  for  a  good  dis- 
tance, and  then  fall  back  to  a  strong  defensive  posi- 
tion near  Snake  Creek,  there  to  strike  the  enemy  in 
flank  if  he  should  be  forced  to  retreat.  Meantime, 
Thomas  was  to  make  a  strong  feint  of  attack  in 
front,  while  Schofield  pressed  down  from  the  north 
upon  the  enemy's  right  flank. 

It  is  proper  here,  in  compliance  with  the  require- 
ments of  this  book,  to  go  back  to  Blue  Springs, 
where  the  First  Division  lay  encamped  up  to  noon  on 
the  3d  of  May,  and  trace  out  briefly  its  line  of  march, 
and  the  part  which  it,  or  a  portion  of  it,  had  in  the 
demonstrations  in  front  of  Dalton. 

Another  thing  must  be  mentioned.  By  order  of 
General  Sherman,  issued  previous  to  the  campaign, 
each  regiment  in  the  army  was  directed  to  organize 
a  pioneer  company,  composed  of  twenty  men,  by 
details  of  two  men  from  each  company  in  the  regi- 
ment, the  whole  to  be  under  the  command  of  a  Lieu- 
tenant and  two  non-commissioned  officers,  trustwor- 
thy and  energetic.  The  detail  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
ILLINOIS  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  John  L. 
Newton,  with  sub-officers  Sergeant  R.  D.  Talbot  and 
Corporal  Isaac  Barr.  These  men  had  frequently  a 
double  duty  to  perform,  for  while  they  carried  the 
musket  and  cartridge-box,  they  also  were  armed  with 
an  axe,  hatchet,  pick  or  spade.  It  was  their  duty  to 


134  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

construct  corduroys  for  the  passage  of  artillery  and 
trains,  rifle-pits  and  breastworks  to  protect  the  troops, 
pontoons  to  cross  streams,  and,  in  fact,  everything 
requiring  the  use  of  implements.  It  will  be  seen 
hereafter,  that  the  pioneer  organization  of  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS  won  for  itself  a  good  name,  and 
rendered  most  efficient  and  praiseworthy  service. 
Lieutenant  Newton  also  retained  command  of  Com- 
pany H. 

The  regiment,  together  with  Grose's  Brigade  and 
the  ^Division,  left  camp  at  Blue  Springs  at  noon  on 
the  3rd  of  May,  ma  lied  Clay,  for  Catoosa  Springs, 
the  point  of  concentration  for  the  army,  where  it 
arrived  on  the  4th  and  rested  until  the  7th  instant. 
On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth 
Corps  advanced  upon  Tunnel  Hill.  This  day  the 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  was  in  the  second  line  of  battle.  The 
advance  regiments  drove  the  enemy  from  his  intrench- 
ments,  and  camped  on  the  ground  they  had  won. 
On  the  8th  the  command  advanced  upon  Rocky  Face. 
On  this  occasion  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  and  the 
Ninth  and  Thirtieth  Indiana,  were  in  the  front  line. 
Grose's  position  was  on  the  left  of  the  rail  and  wagon 
roads  leading  through  Buzzard's  Roost.  As  in  Feb- 
ruary, this  position  was  found  strongly  fortified. 
And  although  impregnable  in  front,  yet  in  obedience 
to  Sherman's  orders  to  Thomas  to  threaten  heavily, 
Grose  frequently  made  assaults  upon  the  enemy  in 
heavy  skirmish  line,  and  in  these  affairs  his  loss  was 
some  forty  killed  and  wounded.  The  brigade  lay 


BATTLE   OF   ROCKY   FACE  EIDGE.  135 

close  under  the  ridge,  firmly  holding  the  ground,  and 
occasionally  worrying  the  enemy  with  shot  and  shell, 
until,  on  the  9th,  Davis's  Division,  in  line  on  the 
right  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  being  severely  engaged, 
it  moved  to  his  support.  Finally,  on  the  llth,  the 
foremost  battalions  of  Davis's  Corps  carried  the 
ridge  in  his  front,  and  pursued  the  retreating  col- 
umns. The  Fourth  Corps  occupied  the  ground 
vacated  by  it. 

On  the  7th  instant,  while  the  brigade  lay  close 
under  Rocky  Face,  the  pioneer  company  was  ordered 
forward  to  build  breastworks  for  cover.  The  enemy, 
divining  the  purpose,  made  a  vigorous  assault  upon 
our  lines,  temporarily  driving  them  in,  and  resulting 
in  the  capture  of  a  good  many  tools,  and  very  nearly 
that  of  many  of  the  men.  While  here,  too,  on  the 
7th,  Company  D  was  detailed  for  picket  duty,  and 
in  conjunction  with  the  details  of  the  brigade  did 
constant  skirmishing,  and  was  not  relieved  until  the 
9th  instant.  Once  it  charged  up  to  within  fifty 
yards  of  the  enemy's  main  line. 

By  the  12th,  the  entire  army,  save  the  Fourth 
Corps  and  some  cavalry,  left  to  watch  Dalton,  were 
in  motion,  west  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  for  Resaca. 
These  columns  fairly  passed  through  Snake  Creek 
Gap,  the  Fourth  Corps  pushed  through  Dalton,  soon 
coming  upon  the  rebel  rear  guard.  These  were 
steadily  driven  back,  until,  three  miles  south  of  the 
town,  the  rebels  were  found  posted  upon  a  high 
wooded  hill  ready  for  battle.  When  in  cannon-shot 


136  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH 

range,  his  artillery  opened,  and  ours  replied.  A 
heavy  duel  now  progressed  for  some  time,  only  an 
open  farm  with  a  low  valley  intervening.  During 
the  advance  here,  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  was  on  the 
skirmish  line,  and  captured  a  rebel  captain,  and 
Company  A  was  the  first  to  occupy  the  town  of 
Dalton. 

The  enemy's  guns  becoming  very  annoying,  and 
passive,  enduring  courage  not  suiting  the  pride  of 
Grose,  he  ordered  the  Mnth  and  Thirty-sixth  Indi- 
ana, supported  on  the  right  by  the  Eighty-fourth 
Illinois,  to  form  into  line  and  carry  the  position  by 
assault.  Grandly  these  regiments  traversed  the  open 
field  under  a  shower  of  fire,  scaled  the  hill,  encoun- 
tered the  rebels,  almost  hand  to  hand,  drove  them 
from  their  barricades,  and  remained  masters  of  the 
position.  This  ended  the  contest  for  that  day.  The 
troops  now  moved  to  the  west,  on  the  Dalton  and 
Rome  road,  passing  into  Sugar  Creek  valley,  and 
encamped  there  for  the  night,  nine  miles  from -Dai- 
ton. 

During  the  night  of  the  13th,  the  enemy  fell  back 
to  his  works  around  Resaca.  Our  army  closely 
pressed  him.  McPherson's  Corps  first  struck  his  in- 
fantry pickets,  advancing  from  Snake  Creek  Gap, 
drove  them  within  their  fortified  lines,  and  occupied 
a  ridge  of  "  bald  hills,"  his  right  on  the  river  Oosta- 
naula,  and  his  left  abreast  the  town.  Thomas,  with 
the  Fourteenth  Corps,  moved  up  on  McPherson's 
left,  while  Schofield,  after  hard  and  tedious  toil, 


BATTLE   OF   EESACA.  137 

gained  his  left.  Two  things  saved  Johnston's  army 
at  Dalton.  •  One,  the  topographical  nature  of  the 
country ;  and  the  other,  the  foresight  of  the'  rebel 
chieftain. 

At  Resaca  the  Fourth  Corps  joined  the  Fourteenth 
on  the  left,  and  the  First  Division  lay  upon  the  right 
bank  of  the  Oostanaula.  About  12  o'clock,  noon, 
on  the  14th,  Colonel  Grose  was  directed  to  conform 
his  movements  to  those  of  General  Wood,  of  the 
Third  Division.  The  other  two  brigades  of  the  First 
Division  were  to  have  formed  on  Grose's  left,  but 
they  failed  to  be  in  position.  So,  when  at  two 
o'clock  the  advance  was  made,  Grose  found  himself  at 
the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  His  brigade  was  formed 
in  double  lines,  with  the  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylva- 
nia, Seventy-fifth  and  Eightieth  Illinois,  and  the 
Thirtieth  Indiana  in  the  advance.  Of  the  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH,  the  Pioneers  and  Company  A  were  on  the 
skirmish  line,  and  behaved  well.  Private  Thomas 
Wood  was  wounded.  The  ground  over  which  the 
troops  must  march  to  attack  the  enemy's  main  line, 
was  very  rough  in  its  configuration — hilly,  ledgy, 
and  heavily  wooded  for  the  most  part,  with  here  and 
there  an  opening  of  some  small  farm.  Thus,  it  was 
difficult,  on  a  rapid  advance  over  such  ground,  to 
maintain  much  military  coherence,  yet  the  formation 
was  kept  remarkably  well,  under  the  circumstances. 

The  enemy  opened  a  terrific  fire  of  round  shot  and 
shell,  which  continued  some  forty  minutes ;  but  when 
the  command  "  Forward !"  was  given,  our  brave  bat- 


138  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

talions  moved  right  on,  through  the  iron  shower, 
none  wavering,  none  falling  back,  save  those  whom 
fate  there  destined  to  fall  dead  or  wounded.  Where 
Grose  faced  the  enemy,  it  was  impracticable  to  move 
artillery,  and  thus  our  men  were  without  that  valua- 
ble arm.  Nevertheless,  by  dint  of  active,  fiery  cour- 
age, the  assault  was  made,  the  enemy  driven  from  the 
woodland,  through  the  valley,  and  over  a  hill  beyond 
it,  to  his  interior  line  of  works. 

Then,  for  a  time,  the  fighting  ceased.  The  com- 
mand bivouacked  for  the  night.  Taking  advantage 
of  the  darkness,  the  pioneers,  ever  faithful,  con- 
structed barricades  for  defense.  Late  that  afternoon, 
the  other  two  brigades  of  the  Division  advanced  and 
formed  line  of  battle  on  Grose's  left.  Just  at  night- 
fall, these  regiments  were  destined  to  suffer  assault. 
The  enemy,  maddened  at  the  advantage  we  had 
gained,  charged  upon  these  two  brigades  most 
furiously,  hurling  them  back,  threatening  Grose's 
left  flank,  and  endangering  the  safety  of  the  army. 

In  the  midst  of  danger,  and  unforewarned,  to  form 
a  line  so  as  to  answer  for  the  safety  of  an  army,  is  a 
work  of  great  moment,  and  requires  sound  judgment, 
a  quick  eye,  and  steady  nerve. 

These  Grose  possessed  to  an  eminent  degree.  Soon 
as  the  enemy  struck  the  brigades  on  his  left,  and 
drove  them  in,  thereby  compromising  his  own  com- 
mand, Grose  formed  his  rear  regiments  in  a  line  fac- 
ing his  left,  and  perpendicular  to  his  rear.  This  for- 
mation was  made  on  the  double-quick,  by  the  Fifty- 


LOSS   OP  BEAVE   MEN.  139 

ninth  Illinois,  the  Thirty-sixth  Indiana,  and  one  com- 
pany of  the  Eighty-fourth  Illinois. 

Hooker's  column  chanced  to  be  coming  into  posi- 
tion on  the  left  and  to  the  rear  of  the  two  discom- 
fited brigades,  and  the  routed  troops  passing  it,  his 
men  gave  the  exultant  rebels  a  terrible  welcome, 
piling  the  ground  with  dead  and  wounded,  and  forc- 
ing them  back  under  cover.  Grose's  men  only  par- 
ticipated in  this  bloody  contest  at  long  musket  range. 
His  Battery,  "B,"  Second  Pennsylvania,  however, 
which  had  now  arrived,  dealt  an  effective  fire  upon 
the  enemy's  flank  and  rear. 

This  day  witnessed  the  loss  of  many  brave  and 
noble  men.  Captain  Davis,  of  the  Seventy-seventh 
Pennsylvania,  Assistant  Inspector-General,  a  most 
faithful  officer,  here  fell,  struck  by  a  cannon-shot  in 
the  thigh.  He  was  thought  to  be  mortally  wounded, 
but  he  finally  recovered,  although  a  cripple  for  life. 
Here,  too,  Sergeant  Jacob  Rhodehamel,  of  the  Sev- 
enty-fifth, was  killed.  And  he  deserves  special  men- 
tion. At  the  call  of  patriotism,  and  although  too 
old  to  be  liable  to  the  draft,  he  left  a  large  family,  to 
volunteer  for  the  defence  of  his  adopted  country. 
From  his  enlistment,  in  1862,  up  to  the  hour  he  was 
struck  by  the  fatal  missile — a  fragment  of  shell — he 
was  never  away  from  the  command,  nor  off  duty  an 
hour.  He  was  a  noble,  whole-souled  man  and  patriot, 
and  his  loss  is  mourned  by  his  brave  compatriots  in 
arms.  A  piece  of  the  same  shell  struck  Norman 
Brooks,  of  Company  I,  breaking  his  leg,  and  disa- 


140  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

bling  him  for  life.  Another  shell  burst  over  the 
right  of  Company  F,  and  a  fragment  of  it  tore 
through  the  folded  blanket  of  Ernest  Wernick,  un- 
strapping it  from  his  back.  The  blanket  doubtless 
saved  his  life,  and  that  of  Sergeant  James  D.  Place. 

On  the  afternoon  and  evening  of  the  15th,  Scho- 
field  and  Hooker,  on  the  left  of  the  First  Division, 
engaged  the  enemy  in  a  heavy  battle,  driving  him 
from  several  strongly  fortified  hills,  and  capturing  a 
four  gun  battery  and  many  prisoners.  The  First 
Division  swung  around  its  left,  to  conform  with 
Hooker's  advantage.  Later  at  night,  the  rebels 
charged  Hazen's  Brigade,  on  the  right  of  Grose,  and 
the  Third  Brigade  went  to  his  assistance.  The 
assault  was  repulsed  with  heavy  loss. 

That  night  Johnston  escaped,  retreating  across  the 
Oostanaula,  and  the  next  morning  our  forces  entered 
Resaca.  Early  on  the  16th,  the  whole  army  started 
in  pursuit,  with  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth  Corps 
close  on  his  heels.  McPherson  guarded  well  the 
right  flank,  crossing  the  river  at  Lay's  Ferry,  while 
Schofield  pushed  forward  by  obscure  roads  to  the 
left.  In  Resaca  another  four  gun  battery  was  found 
abandoned,  also  a  large  supply  of  stores,  showing 
with  what  rapidity  the  rebel  chief  had  been  com- 
pelled to  act. 

The  pursuit  was  continued  without  remission  until 
the  19th,  the  ;enemy  only  making  a  short  stand  at 
Adairsville ;  but  General  Newton  engaged  him  there 
handsomely,  and  he  withdrew.  Johnston  passed 


JEFF.    C.    DAVIS' S   DIVISION.  141 

through  Kingston,  and  four  miles  south  to  Cassville. 
Here  the  ground  was  comparatively  open,  and  well 
adapted  for  a  grand  battle.  Hence,  proper  disposi- 
tions were  made.  Schofield  closed  in  upon  Cassville 
on  the  north,  followed  by  Hooker  on  his  right,  with 
the  Fourth  Corps  still  further  to  the  right.  Me- 
Pherson  remained  at  Kingston,  as  a  reserve.  While 
moving  into  position,  the  Fourth  Corps  did  heavy 
skirmishing,  Grose  routing  the  foe  in  his  front,  cap- 
turing hospitals,  property,  etc.  Skirmish  and  artil- 
lery firing  was  very  heavy  until  nightfall,  and  among 
the  wounded  was  Sergeant  A.  S.  Christopher. 

Again  the  Pioneers  and  other  details  constructed 
trenches  for  protection,  and  fhat  night  the  enemy 
again  retreated,  across  the  Etowah,  and  south  to 
Cartersville  and  Allatoona  Pass.  Here  the  army 
rested  until  the  23rd.  For  sixteen  days  it  had  been 
one  constant  battle  of  greater  or  less  intensity,  and 
prudence  dictated  a  respite  for  the  men.  Besides, 
thus  far  our  army  might  be  likened  to  an  engine 
drawing  its  supplies,  by  means  of  long  pipes,  from  a 
river,  and  it  must  be  thoroughly  replenished  by  draw- 
ing fresh  supplies  from  its  base  ere  it  could  hope  to 
move  on  [successfully  and  satisfactorily.  This  was 
quickly  accomplished,  however,  and  by  the  time 
above  indicated,  all  was  ready  for  another  forward 
movement. 

Meantime,  Jeff.  C.  Davis's  Division,  which  had 
made  a  diversion  to  Rome,  down  the  west  bank  of 
the  Oostanaula,  from  Resaca,  returned  from  this  ex- 


142  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

pedition,  having  achieved  great  success.  He  had 
captured  Rome,  with  its  forts,  eight  or  ten  guns  of 
heavy  calibre,  its  valuable  mills  and  foundries.  He 
also  secured  intact  two  good  bridges  across  the  Eto- 
wah,  near  Kingston,  affording  the  army  a  speedy 
crossing  towards  the  South. 

General  Sherman,  satisfied  from  his  maps,  and  the 
knowledge  gained  from  others  who  were  famiUar 
with  the  locality,  that  Johnston  could  and  would  hold 
Allatoona  Pass,  resolved,  without  even  making  a 
feint  in  front,  to  flank  it  on  the  right ;  and  having 
supplied  his  wagon  trains  with  twenty  days'  provi- 
sions, cut  loose  from  the  railroad,  leaving  only  a  gar- 
rison force  at  Rome  and  Kingston,  and  pushed  his 
columns  on  to  Dallas. 

McPherson  crossed  the  Etowah  at  the  mouth  of 
Conasene  Creek,  near  Kingston,  and  marched  to  the 
position  assigned  him,  south  of  Dallas,  via  Van  Wirt. 
Davis's  Division  moved  directly  from  Rome  to  Dal- 
las, via  Van  Wirt.  Thomas,  with  the  Fourth,  and 
the  other  divisions  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  pro- 
ceeded to  Dallas  via  Euharlee  and  Burnt  Hickory, 
while  Schofield  moved  by  other  roads  to  the  east, 
aiming  to  form  line  of  battle  on  Thomas's  left. 

This  movement  of  Sherman's  was  one  seldom  per- 
formed; yet  there  are  many  precedents  fin  history. 
It  was  what  is  called  in  military  parlance,  a  "  mova- 
ble column,"  in  contradistinction  to  "  regular  opera- 
tions." As  will  readily  be  seen,  the  difference  is 
broad.  In  the  former,  the  commander  purposely 


BATTLE  OF  PUMPKIN- VINE  CHEEK.       143 

places  himself  in  those  very  circumstances  which 
would  ruin  an  army  carrying  on  regular  operations. 
He  yields  the  road  to  his  resources,*  yields  the 
defence  of  everything  "but  himself.  If  in  such  an 
adventure  he  meets  with  success,  all  is  well ;  other- 
wise he  is  placed  in  jeopardy,  in  danger  of  ruin — aye, 
extermination.  It  remains  to  be  seen  how  Sherman 
succeeded. 

The  head  of  Thomas's  column  reached  Burnt 
Hickory  on  the  23rd  of  May,  and  captured  a  rebel 
courier,  bearing  a  letter  of  Johnston,  showing  'that 
he  detected  Sherman's  move,  and  was  prepared  to 
meet  him  at  Dallas.  Still  the  army  pushed  on.  The 
country  through  which  it  passed  is  very  rugged, 
mountainous,  and  densely  wooded ;  the  roads  few  and 
obscure. 

On  the  25th,  while  Thomas's  command  was  mov- 
ing across  Pumpkin-vine  Creek,  on  the  main  Dallas 
road,  his  advance  was  encountered  by  cavalry.  A 
fight  ensued,  the  cavalry  were  driven,  but  not  until 
they  had  set  fire  to  the  bridge.  But  our  men  rushed 
through  the  flames  to  the  other  bank,  and  finally 
saved  it.  Two  miles  further  on,  the  rebel  infantry 
were  encountered,  and  Geary's  Division  had  a  sharp 
rencontre.  Hooker's  other  divisions  came  up  at  last 
(they  were  moving  on  different  roads),  and  he  de- 
ployed two  divisions  into  line,  and,  by  order  of  Gen- 
eral Sherman,  made  a  bold  push  to  secure  possession 
of  a  position  designated  as  "  New  Hope  Church,"  a 
point  where  three  roads  meet — from  Ackworth, 


144  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Marietta,  and  Dallas.  Here  the  battle  grew  fierce, 
the  men  on  either  side  fighting  with  desperation. 
Night  setting  in,  dark  and  stormy,  and  the  rebels 
having  constructed  temporary  barricades,  Hooker 
was  compelled  to  cease  his  efforts.  Hearing  heavy 
firing  in  the  advance,  the  First  Division  of  the  Fourth 
Corps  moved  up  to  within  close  support  of  Hooker, 
Grose's  Brigade  forming  line  of  battle,  the  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  ILLINOIS  in  the  second  line.  None  of  the 
Fourth  Corps,  however,  became  engaged. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  the  enemy  was  found 
strongly  intrenched,  and  prepared  to  dispute  our  fur- 
ther progress.  This  compelled  a  new  disposition  of 
our  army.  McPherson  was  moved  up  to  Dallas, 
Thomas  was  deployed  in  front  of  New  Hope  Church, 
while  Schofield  was  directed  to  move  well  upon  our 
left,  to  turn  the  enemy's  right.  One  cavalry  divi- 
sion, under  Garrard,  operated  with  McPherson  ;  an- 
other, under  Stoneman,  with  Schofield.  McCook 
guarded  the  rear. 

The  country  being  so  rugged,  and  so  densely  tim- 
bered, several  days  were  occupied  in  deploying  into 
position.  Finally  our  lines  were  placed  in  close  con- 
tact with  the  enemy.  This  accomplished,  Sherman 
resolved  to  extend  his  line  eastwardly,  and  strike  for 
the  railroad  east  of  Allatoona.  In  making  this 
development  before  the  enemy,  several  sharp  skir- 
mishes ensued,  in  some  of  which  Grose's  command 
participated.  On  the  27th  of  May  the  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  was  engaged,  losing  one  man  wounded — Elisha 


OCCUPATION  OF  ALLATOONA  PASS.      145 

Drew,  of  Company  D.  The  skirmishing  lasted  all 
day ;  and  at  night,  in  conformity  with  Sherman's  plan 
of  extending  his  left,  the  First  Division  moved  into 
the  position  held  by  Wood's  Division,  he  in  turn 
occupying  the  ground  held  by  Hooker.  This  posi- 
tion was  held  by  the  army  until  the  1st  of  June. 
And  here  the  pioneers  of  the  regiments  were  again 
brought  into  important  use.  With  daring  unex- 
celled— those  of  the  Seventy-fifth,  especially — felled 
trees,  cut  them  into  logs,  and  then  rolled  them  to 
within  four  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  line  of 
breast-works,  secured  them  in  position,  and  con- 
structed a  formidable  barricade,  the  rebels  all  the 
time  pouring  into  the  boys  a  terrific  plunging  fire, 
but  to  no  purpose.  After  shifting  about  from  one 
part  of  the  line  to  another,  enduring  night  and  day 
a  heavy  fire,  holding  themselves  in  readiness  to  rein- 
force McPherson,  on  the  one  hand,  when  he  was  so 
furiously  attacked,  and  Hooker,  on  the  other,  when 
he  with  equal  persistence  repulsed  the  foe,  they  were 
gladdened  with  the  intelligence  that  one  more  strong- 
hold was  yielded,  and  another  stride  made  towards 
Atlanta,  the  goal  so  eagerly  sought  for. 

The  movement  of  our  army  to  the  left,  thereby 
occupying  all  the  roads  leading  back  to  Ack  worth 
and  Allatoona,  while  Stoneman  and  Garrard  occu- 
pied Allatoona  and  the  west  end  of  the  pass,  turned 
this  famous  position  of  the  enemy. 

The  operations  of  the  "movable  column"  were 
.  now  at  an  end.  Its  mission  was  fully  and  satisfac- 
10 


146  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

torily  accomplished.  Eclat  was  won  from  the  bold 
enterprise.  Sherman  now  ordered  the  railroad 
bridge  to  be  rebuilt  across  the  Etowah,  and  examin- 
ing the  Allatoona  Pass,  and  finding  it  served  an  ex- 
cellent purpose  as  a  depot  for  supplies,  he  established 
it  as  a  secondary  base.  It  was  duly  fortified  and 
garrisoned,  and  by  the  9th  of  June  communication 
with  Chattanooga  was  re-established.  Again  the 
army  rested  for  a  time ;  but  it  was  only  for  a  mere 
breathing  spell. 

The  fortunes  of  the  rebels  had,  indeed,  thus  far, 
been  checkered,  and  it  might  be  safely  said  that  at 
this  moment  their  prospects  were  a  good  deal  over- 
cast. Nevertheless,  they  were  enlisted  in  a  bad 
cause — one  of  anarchy  and  ruin — and  that  madness, 
which  it  is  said. the  gods  inspire  men  with  whom 
they  wish  to  destroy,  possessed  them,  and  they 
rushed  on  to  a  gloomy  and  tragical  fate. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  BATTLES  OF  PINE,  LOST,  AND  KENESAW  MOTJN- 
j.  TAINS,  ADAIRSVILLE,  SYMENA  OB  GULP'S  FAEM,  AND 

PEACH     TEEE     CEEEK THE.     CHATTAHOOCHIE     AND 

;     ATLANTA JONESBOEO     AND    LOYEJOY's END     OF 

..     THE   CAMPAIGN.      ' 

As  our  grand  army  was  moved  upon  the  enemy,  on 
the  10th  of  June,  they  faced  a  drenching  rain,  which 
soon  made  them  very  uncomfortable,  but  did  not  in 
the  least  depress  their  spirits — these  were  as  buoy- 
ant as  ever.  In  their  front  lay  Kenesaw,  the  bold 
and  striking  Twin  Mountain,  as  it  is  called,  with  a 
long  and  high  range  of  chestnut  covered  hills,  trend- 
ing away  to  the  north-east,  and  terminating  in  a 
knob  designated  as  Brushy  Mountain.  On  its  right 
was  a  smaller  hill,  Pine  Mountain,  and  further  on, 
Lost  Mountain.  These  hills  are  so  arranged  as  to 
form,  one  with  another,  a  continuous  chain  of  em- 
bankments, the  most  commanding  heights  presenting 
a  conical  peak.  On  these  the  enemy  was  posted, 
and  his  position  was  admirably  chosen,  with  one 
exception — his  line  was  too  long.  Kenesaw,  Pine, 


148  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS. 

and  Lost  Mountains  constitute  a  triangle,  in  which 
Pine  Mountain  is  the  apex,  the  other  two  the  base. 
The  natural  rampart  thus  formed,  securely  protected 
the  town  of  Marietta  in  its  rear,  and  the  railroad 
back  to  the  Chattahoochie. 

Johnston  rested  his  hopes  now  upon  the  assump- 
tion that  he  could  hold  this  position  against  repeated 
assaults;  and  he  prepared  the  ground  for  a  great 
defense.  Extensive  lines  of  breast-works  threaded 
along  the  base  of  these  hills,  signal  stations  turreted 
each  conical  peak,  and  all  along  the  summit  were 
placed  his  batteries.  It  were  a  wonder,  indeed,  if 
our  army  could  soon  overcome  these  obstacles,  and  a 
wonder  still  greater  if  it  were  done  without  immense 
loss  of  life.  But  the  Chattahoochie  and  Atlanta,  the 
enemy's  great  magazine  and  workshop,  lay  beyond  ; 
these  must  be  reached.  Therefore  these  defenses 
must  be  encountered,  and  the  foe  routed.  So  willed 
the  chief. 

To  accomplish  this  task,  McPherson  moved  toward 
Marietta,  his  right  resting  on  the  railroad ;  Thomas 
on  Kenesaw  and  Pine  Mountains ;  Schofield  to  Lost 
Mountain ;  while  the  three  divisions  of  cavalry  looked 
to  either  flank  and  the  rear.  The  depot  of  supplies 
was  Big  Shanty. 

On  the  10th,  Grose's  brigade  is  in  the  advance, 
and  after  moving  some  three  miles,  meets  the  enemy. 
Skirmishing  begins ;  the  foe  is  found  in  force,  and 
the  line  halts.  That  night  earth-works  are  .con- 
structed, and  the  position  maintained.  At  daylight 


DEATH  OF  GENERAL  POLK.         149 

the  works  were  strengthened  from  the  inside,  to  re- 
sist a  heavy  artillery  fire,  which  the  rebels  directed 
upon  them.  That  night  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS 
and  the  Thirty-sixth  Indiana  moved  into  the  front 
line,  and  were  soon  pushed  forward  some  three  hun- 
dred yards,  to  erect  a  new  line  of  works — the  enemy 
looking  down  upon  us,  and  thoroughly  commanding 
the  ground — this  could  not  be  done  in  the  day  time. 
Two  more  days'  labor  strengthened  these  lines  won- 
derfully, and  made  them  proof  against  any  force  of 
cannon  shot.  During  this  time  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
lost  one  man  wounded. 

:  Finally,  Sherman's  dispositions  to  break  the  ene- 
my's line  between  Kenesaw  and  Pine  Mountains  suc- 
ceeded, and  during  the  night  of  the  13th  he  evacu- 
ated his  first  line  of  intrenchments.  On  the  14th  a 
severe  demonstration  was  made  upon  the  enemy  both 
along  the  Fourth  Corps,  and  Howard's  front.  Our 
lines  had  advanced  on  to  the  mountain  early  that 
morning,  and  there  was  but  little  disposition  to  skir- 
mish on  the  rebel  side.  The  artillery  fire,  however, 
was  constant  and  terrific.  Havoc  was  made,  and 
among  the  lives  lost  was  that  of  the  rebel  ex-Bishop 
and  Lieutenant-General,  Leonidas  Polk.  He  fell  by 
a  shot  from  Simonson's  Fifth  Indiana  Battery,  which 
was  under  Grose's  command,  and  was  in  position  to 
the  right  and  front  of  his  brigade. 

Again,  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  the  enemy, 
huge  and  grey,  valiant,  yet  half  discouraged,  crept 


150  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

gliding  down  the  inner  slope  of  the  hill,  retiring  to 
Lost  Mountain. 

Two  miles  of  pursuit,  and  he  was  again  confronted 
in  fortified  lines.  As  ever,  field-works  were  built. 
The  presence  of  the  enemy  was  immediate,  and  at 
such  times  this  kind  of  fortification  is  of  infinite 
value,  even  though  it  be  a  mere  rudiment,  as  it  in- 
spires confidence  in  the  men,  gives  greater  security, 
and  forms  a  basis  for  that  coherence,  or  unity  of  pur- 
pose, demanded  of  men  when  regular  formations  are 
endangered. 

On  the  16th  the  trenches  were  advanced,  but  by 
dint  of  hard  skirmishing.  Every  inch  of  ground  was 
fought  for,  and  several  valuable  lives  were  lost, 
among  them  that  of  the  brave  and  gallant  Captain 
Simonson.  His  men  swore  to  avenge  his  death.  \ ' 

Daylight  of  the  17th  showed  that  Lost  Mountain, 
too,  was  abandoned,  and  pursuit  was  next  in  order. 
The  enemy  retired,  sullen  and  morose,  doggedly  con- 
testing our  advance  with  his  rear  guard.  Of  the 
Fourth  Corps,  Wood's  Division  led,  closely  supported 
by  the  First  Division.  Our  army  pressed  the  enemy 
at  all  points,  on  all  fronts — Hooker's,  Howard's, 
Davis' s,  McPherson's,  and  Schofield's.  Over  hills, 
through  ravines  and  dense  forests,  it  slowly  fought 
its  way,  until  the  bold  front  of  Kenesaw  towered 
above  them.  Here  evidently  was  to  be  an  herculean 
struggle.  Johnston's  position  was  strongly  in- 
trenched, with  Kenesaw  as  his  salient,  his  right  wing 
thrown  back,  covering  Marietta,  while  his  left  ex- 


CLOSE   PURSUIT   OF   THE   ENEMY.  151 

tended  across  Nose's  Creek,  protecting  his  communi- 
cations with  the  Chattahoochie.  Thus  had  he  cor- 
rected his  first  mistake  of  defending  too  long  a  line 
— fully  two  miles  in  extent — and  now  his  lines  were 
contracted,  and  strengthened  accordingly. 

From  the  time  of  coming  into  this  position  until 
the  19th,  Grose's  Brigade  was  held  in  reserve,  and 
was  not  under  fire.  The  men  thus  gained  rest,  for 
they  sorely  needed  it. 

But  even  this  position  of  the  rebel  chief  could  not 
be  held  against  the  pressure  Sherman  brought' to 
bear  upon  it.  So,  during  the  night  of  the  18th,  he 
fell  back  three  miles  further,  locating  himself  more 
directly  on  Kenesaw.  Our  army  kept  close  upon 
his  heels,  Grose's  Brigade  leading  the  First  Division. 

Two  miles  out  shots  were  exchanged,  and  soon  a 
battle  became  imminent.  Grose  formed  his  brigade 
in  two  lines— 4he  Ninth  and  Thirty-sixth  Indiana, 
the  Eightieth  and  Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  in  the  front 
line,  the  Fifty-ninth  and  SEVENTY-FIFTH  Illinois, 
Thirtieth  Indiana  and  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylvania 
in  the  second  line.  Then  he  advanced,  driving  the 
enemy  from  his  position — mostly  an  open  field  farm 
— and  into  his  fortifications  at  the  base  of  Kenesaw 
and  the  adjacent  hills.  The  men  fought  splendidly, 
and  Grose's  loss  was  severe  in  ofiicers  and  men.  It 
was  here  that  gallant  soldier,  Lieutenant  Bowman, 
was  shot  down  and  killed. 

Whilst  Grose's  advance  battalions  stormed  the 
rebel  works,  a  little  squad  of  men,  a  mere  handful  of 


152  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

braves,  consisting  of  Company  B,  and  five  men  from 
Company  A,  Seventy-fifth  Illinois,  under  command 
of  Captain  Charles  R.  Richards,  distinguished  itself 
equally  as  well ;  for  being  sent  out  on  the  flank  as  a 
skirmish  line,  it  fought  constantly  and  with  accuracy. 
Finally,  being  hard  pressed,  the  balls  raining  into 
the  ground  around  them,  and  being  firm,  proud  men, 
they  resolved  to  chastise  the  foe.  On  they  went, 
forcing  him  into  a  run,  scattering  him  over  the  field 
and  into  the  belts  or  clusters  of  timber,  capturing 
several  prisoners.  But  this  was  done  under  so  thick 
a  flight  of  balls,  that  several  were  struck  down, 
killed  and  wounded.  Among  the  latter  were  two  of 
Company  A,  Joseph  Crawford  and  Anthony  Zim- 
rner.  I  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  give  the 
names  of  those  in  Company  B.  They  were  heroes, 
and  deserve  mention;  but  the  record  of  casualties 
does  not  specify  clearly  the  precise  time  of  the  inci- 
dent. 

The  contest  continued  all  of  the  20th,  the  enemy 
trying  to  hold,  and  our  forces  to  drive  him  from,  a 
swamp  between  the  main  trenches.  In  this  the  brig- 
ade succeeded ;  but  it  was  not  all  a  permanent  ad- 
vantage, for  a  portion  of  the  works  had  to  be  aban- 
doned, owing  to  a  destructive  artillery  fire  which  the 
enemy  directed  upon  them  from  batteries  located  at 
three  different  points.  It  was  a  flanking  fire,  and 
particularly  affected  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS, 
severely  wounding  four  men. 

As  near  as  I  can  judge,  it  was  here  that  a  blanket 


TEEEIBLE   CHARGE   OF  THE   EEBELS.  153 

wrapped  around  Edwin  E.  Faunce,  of  Company  F, 
saved  his  life.  A  four-pound  cannon  shot  struck  him 
in  the  chest.  Its  power  of  resistance  prevented  its 
crushing  in. 

The  night  of  the  20th  was  villainously  bad — the 
rain  descending  copiously,  and  the  scene  black  as 
Cimmerian  gloom.  Yet  on  this  night  there  |  sprang 
up  in  one  of  the  rebel  columns  a  warlike  spirit,  and 
it  resolved  to  spend  its  fitful  ire  on  some  portion  of 

.SM 

the  First  Division  front. 

This  warlike  mass  came  on.  It  moved  slowly,  as 
if  in  awe  or  doubt.  But  it  moved,  and  fired  not  a 
shot ;  for  the  orders  were  not  to  fire,  but  to  charge 
with  the  bayonet.  The  dirty,  grey  mass  moved 
upon  Whittaker's  Brigade,  conjoining  with  Grose. 
Whit  taker's  men  were  alert,  and  lay  with  their  rifles 
leveled  across  the  parapet,  and  with  their  eyes  just 
peering  above  its  top,  were  face  to  face  with  the 
front  rank  of  the  surging  mass.  Arriving  within  fifty 
yards  of  the  works,  the  order  was  given,  "  Charge  I" 
and  on  the  rebels  rushed  with  unearthly  whoops  and 
yells.  It  was  an  awful  shock,  and  for  some  moments 
the  issue  seemed  doubtful.  It  was  a  hand  to  hand 
encounter,  and  the  slaughter  was  cruel.  But  the 
Fortieth  Ohio  seemed  endowed  with  superhuman 
strength  and  will,  and  did  much  to  repulse  the 
assault.  Again  and  again  it  was  repeated,  but  fail- 
ure crowned  each  rebel  effort.  Grose,  realizing  the 
vigor  of  the  attack,  promptly  dispatched  the  Ninth 
Indiana  and  the  59th  Illinois  to  Whittaker's  aid,  and 


154  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

they,  too,  participated  with  great  ,honor  in  this 
bloody  affray.  On  the  21st,  the  "balance  of  the  brig- 
ade moved  over  to  Whittaker's  position,  and  he  with- 
drew, aiding  the  Fourteenth  Corps  in  flanking  the 
rebel  position  in  front  of  Kenesaw,  further  to  the 
right.  Here  they  strengthened  the  breast-works 
already  commenced,  but  their  possession  was  one  of 
doubtful  tenure,  for  the  rebels  directed  a  fearful  artil- 
lery fire  upon  them,  which  penetrated  through, 
wounding  several  men.  They  were  Sergeant  L.  H. 
Burkett,  Corporal  "W.  A.  Howland,  Calvin  DeFrain, 
of  Company  A,  Sergeant  Oscar  Seeley  and  Private 
William  Squires,  of  Company  C,'and  Private  Charles 
Reynolds,  of  Company  I. 

The  brigade  remained  here  on  the  22d,  and 
strengthened  the  position ;  but  the  men  were  terri- 
bly annoyed  with  the  enemy's  shells,  and  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH lost  one  man  killed,  and  one  wounded. 
That  night  the  brigade  moved  two  miles  to  the 
right,  and  occupied  a  portion  of  the  position  vacated 
by  the  Twentieth  Army  Corps. 

On  the  23rd,  a  series  of  demonstrations  were  made 
upon  the  enemy's  lines  around  Kenesaw,  mostly 
resulting  in  a  repulse  of  our  forces. 

In  obedience  to  orders,  Grose  deployed  a  heavy 
skirmish  line,  and  under  the  brave  Captain  Hale, 
charged  the  enemy,  capturing  the  rebel  outer  works; 
but  was  unable  to  hold  them  against  such  superior 
numbers.  Company  I,  of  the  Seventy-fifth  Illinois, 
was  in  this  affair,  and  did  gallant  service.  When 


PREPAKATIONS  FOE  AN  ASSAULT.       155 

assailed  in  the  rebel  works,  it  made  stubborn  resist- 
ance, and  lost,  as  prisoner,  Sergeant  Samuel  Orcutt. 

The  position  of  Grose's  command  was  substantially 
the  same  from  this  date  until  the  3rd  of  July.  The 
troops  lay  in  the  intrenchments,  and  within  four 
hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  works.  They  suffered 
all  this  while  a  most  annoying  fire  from  artillery  off 
Kenesaw,  and  many  were  the  victims. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  was  on 
the  front  line,  with  one  company  on  picket.  Here 
Lieutenant  R.  L.  Mangum,  of  Company  D,  was 
wounded,  losing  a  leg.  Two  were  killed  and  three 
wounded. 

Some  time  had  elapsed,  and  still  our  army  fronted 
Kenesaw.  Heavy  demonstrations  had  not  convinced 
the  rebel  general  of  the  policy  of  yielding  it.  He 
considered  the  task  a  difficult  one  to  outflank  it,  and 
he  did  not  believe  Sherman  would  venture  an  assault 
on  fortified  lines,  like  those  he  now  held.  Our  own 
men  were  of  the  latter  opinion,  and  looked  for  the 
commander  to  outflank. 

Sherman  seemed  to  appreciate  the  reasoning  both 
of  friend  and  foe,  and  therefore  resolved  to  test  the 
moral  power  of  an  assault.  But  he  had  a  policy  to 
execute,  as  well  as  a  moral  force  to  achieve.  He 
selected  the  left  centre  as  the  point  of  attack,  as,  to 
use  his  own  language,  if  he  could  "  thrust  a  strong 
head  of  column  through  at  that  point,  by  pushing  it 
boldly  and  rapidly  two  and  one  half  miles,  it  would 
reach  the  railroad  below  Marietta,  cut  off  the  ene- 


156  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

my's  right  and  centre  from  its  line  of  retreat,  and 
then,  by  turning  on  either  part,  it  could  be  over- 
whelmed and  destroyed." 

The  27th  of  June  was  the  day  appointed,  and  the 
assault  was  to  be  made  at  two  points,  south  of  Ken- 
esaw — one  near  Little  Kenesaw,  by  General  McPher- 
son,  and  the  other  a  mile  further  south,  by  General 
Thomas.  The  hour  was  fixed,  and  the  details  given 
in  Field  Orders  No.  28,  of  June  24th,  and  the 
assaults  were  made  at  the  hour  and  in  the  manner 
prescribed ;  but  both  were  signal  failures,  and  cost 
us  dearly,  losing  Generals  Harker  and  McCook — in 
fact,  an  aggregate  of  three  thousand  men. 

Of  Thomas's  troops,  Jeff.  C.  Davis' s  and  Newton's 
Divisions  made  the  assault ;  and  it  was  here  the  gal- 
lant Thirty-fourth  Illinois  displayed  such  bravery, 
and  lost  so  heavily.  The  assault  was  made  upon 
Grose's  immediate  front,  and  the  assaulting  columns 
passed  over  his  brigade.  Some  of  these  troops  be- 
coming terribly  demoralized-  at  the  failure,  rushed 
back  in  a  panic,  and  were  halted  by  Grose's  men  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet.  The  First  Division  took 
no  active  part  in  this  affair ;  but  lay  as  a  reserve  for 
any  emergency. 

Sherman  has  been  severely  criticised  for  ordering 
these  assaults — and  with  some  degree  of  justice.  He 
assumes,  however,  the  whole  responsibility  of  it,  and 
claims  that  although  a  failure,  it  "  proved  to  General 
Johnston  that  he  would  assault,  and  that  boldly." 
One  thing  certainly  was  gained — ground  so  close  to 


EVACUATION  OF  KENESAW.         157 

the  enemy's  parapets  that  he  dared  not  show  a  head 
above  them.  It  is  but  justice,  however,  here  to  state, 
that  the  assault  was  made  strongly  against  the  opin- 
ions of  Generals  Thomas  and  McPherson,  both  of 
whom  predicted  its  failure ;  yet  each  did  his  best  to 
make  it  a  success. 

General  Sherman  understood  the  nature  of  his  sol- 
diers too  well  to  lie  long  in  idleness  after  such  a  fail- 
ure; accordingly,  Schofield  was  ordered  to  push 
strongly  on  the  rebel  left ;  and  on  the  first  of  July, 
Garrard's  cavalry  occupied  the  position  held  by 
McPherson,  while  he  prepared  to  throw  his  corps  by 
the  right,  down  to  Nick-a-jack  Creek  and  Turner's 
Ferry,  across  the  Chattahoochie.  The  effect  was  in- 
stantaneous. Hardly  had  McPherson  commenced 
moving,  ere  Johnston  comprehended  the  movement, 
and  feeling  that  he  could  not  prevent  its  success, 
hastened  to  save  himself. 

Consequently,  on  the  night  of  the  2d  of  July,  he 
evacuated  Kenesaw,  and  made  good  his  retreat 'to 
the  Chattahoochie.  Pursuit  was  immediately  made. 
McPherson  and  Schofield  pushed  forward  to  attack 
him  in  flank  as  he  crossed  the  river ;  but  Johnston 
had  covered  his  movement  too  well.  He  had  in- 
trenched a  tete-de-pont  at  the  Chattahoochie,  with  a 
strong  intrenched  advance  line  at  Smyrna  camp- 
meeting  ground,  five  miles  south  of  Marietta,  and 
four  north  of  the  river. 

Thomas's  column  moved  forward  to  the. railroad, 
and  turned  south  in  pursuit.  Arrived  at  Smyrna, 


158  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Thomas  found  him,  his  front  covered  by  a  formidable 
parapet,  his  flanks  behind  the  Nick-a-jack  and  Rotten- 
wood  creeks. 

Grose's  Brigade  led  the  advance  of  the  First  Divi- 
sion, and  at  nightfall  of  the  3rd,  commenced  skir- 
mishing with  the  enemy.  The  brigade  halts,  and 
the  pioneers  construct  works  in  an  exposed  position, 
losing  three  men  wounded.  The  Fifty-ninth  Illinois, 
of  Grose's  Brigade,  has  the  honor  of  being  the  first 
to  enter  Marietta. 

The  4th  of  July  was  made  memorable  by  pushing 
a  strong  skirmish  line  down  the  main  road  to  Smyr- 
na camp  ground,  capturing  the  entire  line  of  the 
enemy's  pits,  and  making  strong  demonstrations 
along  Nick-a-jack  Creek  and  Turner's  Ferry. 
.  In  this  affair  Grose  was  heavily  engaged.  His 
brigade  made  a  charge  across  a  large  corn  farm,  car- 
rying the  enemy's  outer  works,  and  capturing  many 
prisoners;  but  at  the  .sacrifice  of  eighty-nine  in 
killed,  besides  the  wounded.  This  position  was  held 
until  night,  when  the  enemy  withdrew  to  the  heights 
along  the  Chattahoochie. 

And  here  I  must  go  into  details.  When  the  skir- 
mish line  was  formed  which  must  charge  these  rifle- 
pits,  Company  E,  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant  James  H.  Blodgett, 
was  moved  to  its  support.  After  advancing  a  half 
mile,  it  halted  in  a  ravine  to  re-form,  and  charge 
anew.  It  was  now  in  close  proximity  to  the  rebel 
works.  When  the  order  was  given  to  advance  again, 


GALLANT  CONDUCT  OF  COMPANY  E.      159 

for  some  reason  it  stood  still.  Captain  Hale,  who 
was  in  command  of  the  whole  line — a  body  of  some 
two  hundred  men — seeing  this,  proceeded  to  Lieu- 
tenant Blodgett,  whose  Company  lay  as  reserve  still, 
and  asked  him  to  lead  in  the  charge.  Blodgett  and 
his  brave  boys  advanced  to  the  front  line,  and  on  the 
double  quick,  charged  the  pits,  killing  or  capturing 
nearly  every  soul  in  them.  This  company  crowned 
itself  with  honor.  Not  a  member  left  the  ranks  save 
one,  and  he  to  conduct  the  prisoners  to  the  rear.  I 
do  not  know  to  what  other  Companies  of  the  Sev- 
enty-fifth the  details  in  the  skirmish  line  belonged, 
except  Company  C ;  but  the  regiment  lost  seven  men 
wounded,  and  the  accomplished  soldier,  Captain 
Hale,  killed.  He  was  struck  by  a  random  shot, 
while  drinking  from  his  canteen,  after  his  task  was 
accomplished.  Corporal  Lyman  Chase,  of  Company 
C,  was  also  shot  down  in  the  act  of  taking  the  Cap- 
tain off  the  field.  He  suffered  intensely  for  a  few 
moments,  and  he  remarked  to  his  comrades,  "  Well, 
boys,  I  guess  I'll  go  with  the  Captain." 

The  regiment,  now  under  command  of  Major  Wat- 
son, maintained  its  lines  firmly,  and  in  unison  with 
the  brigade,  fought  splendidly.  Watson,  in  partic- 
ular, was  distinguished  for  great  gallantry.  I  regret 
that  I  have  no  details  of  the  affair. 

Daylight  of  July  5th,  found  the  works  of  the 
enemy  abandoned.  He  had  yielded  all  of  the  coun- 
try north  of  the  Chattahoochie,  and  was  now  massed 
to  cover  his  pontoons.  Again  Sherman  resorted  to 


160  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS. 

a  flank  movement.  He  transferred  nearly  all  his 
army  from  the  right  to  the  left,  built  three  bridges 
across  the  river  above  Johnston's  position,  one  at  the 
mouth  of  Soap's  Creek,  one  at  Power's  Ferry,  and 
one  at  Roswell's  Ford.  These  were  secured  by  the 
9th  of  July,  and  preparations  made  for  a  movement. 
That  night  Johnston  abandoned  his  tete-de-pont, 
destroyed  his  bridges,  and  fell  back  upon  Peach 
Tree  Creek.  Thus  was  gained  the  chief  object  of 
the  campaign,  namely,  the  advancement  of  our  lines 
from  the  Tennessee  to  the  Chattahoochie.  The 
army  had  rested  quietly  from  the  5th  to  the  10th, 
doing  nothing  but  picket  duty.  But  another  prize 
lay  before  them — one  worthy  of  the  gain — Atlanta, 
with  its  magazines,  stores,  arsenals,  workshops,  and 
foundries.  Here,  too,  converged  the  Southern  sys- 
tem of  railroads,  which  not  only  supplied  Johnston's, 
but  Lee's  forces,  away  in  Virginia. 

Meantime,  General  Sherman  ordered  a  raid  upon 
the  enemy's  communications.  General  Rousseau  was 
placed  in  command  of  the  expedition.  It  consisted 
of  two  thousand  cavalry.  There  is  but  one  stem  of 
completed  railway  connecting  the  channels  of  trade 
between  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  running 
from  Montgomery  to  Opelika.  To  destroy  this  road 
was  Rousseau's  object.  He  left  Decatur,  Alabama, 
on  the  10th  of  July ;  crossed  the  Coosa  at  the  Ten 
Islands  on  the  14th  instant,  whipping  the  rebel  Gen- 
eral Clanton's  Brigade,  passing  thence  through  Tal- 
ledaga,  striking  the  railroad  at  Loachapoka,  and 


KOTJSSEAU'S   BAH).'  161 

destroyed  it  from  Chehaw  Station  (whipping  the 
rebels  again  at  this  point)  to  Opelika ;  thence  out 
three  miles  on  the  Columbus  and  West  Point  road — 
about  thirty-two  miles  in  all.  He  then  moved  north, 
arriving  at  Marietta  on  the  22d,  having  sustained  a 
loss  of  less  than  thirty  men. 

This  was  one  of  the  most  successful  raids  of  the 
war.  Its  results  were  splendid,  and  it  added  greatly 
to  Rousseau's  already  brilliant  reputation  as  a  bold, 
daring,  and  skillful  chieftain. 

During  this  time,  supplies  were  collected  at  Alia- 
toona,  Marietta,  and  Vining's  Station.  Finally,  on 
the .  17th,  all  being  ready,  a  general  advance  was 
ordered.  Grose's  command,  however,  had  crossed 
the  river  on  the  12th,  at  Roswell  Ford.  Here  Major 
Watson  superintended  the  building  of  a  bridge. 
Thomas  crossed  at  Power's  and  Price's  Ferries,  and 
moved  to  Buckhead;  Schofield  crossed  at  Soap's 
Creek,  and  marched  by  Cross  Keys ;  McPherson 
moved  straight  against  the  Augusta  road,  near  Stone 
Mountain,  continuing  by  a  general  right  wheel.  The 
whole  army  was  now  in  a  line  along  Peach  Tree  road. 
On  the  18th,  the  several  columns  were  in  motion ; 
moved  six  miles  to  Peach  Tree  Creek.  The  next 
day  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  made  a  reconnois- 
sance  up  to  and  across  Peach  Tree  Creek.  Two 
companies,  under  command  of  Lieutenants  Isaac  L. 
Hunt,  of  Company  K,  and  Frank  Binghain,  of  Com- 
pany C,  went  in  advance  of  the  regiment,  and  took 
a  position  on  the  creek,  sending  two  sentinels  across 
11 


162  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

to  the  opposite  bank.  No  enemy  was  discovered ; 
but  two  mounted  men,  wearing  the  uniform  of  Fed- 
eral soldiers,  rode  up,  and,  wheeling  away  when 
ordered  to  halt,  were  fired  at  and  wounded.  The 
regiment  was  suddenly  left  without  support,  the 
reconnoitering  force  of  the  Second  Division  having 
become  frightened  at  the  supposed  presence  of  the 
enemy,  and  retired.  Company  A,  Captain  William 
Parker,  was  placed  on  picket,  and  soon  discovered 
the  rebels  throwing  up  works,  south  of  the  creek. 
Shots  were  exchanged,  but  no  advance  was  made. 
The  brigade  soon  came  up,  and  the  position  was  in- 
trenched. On  the  20th,  the  brigade  moved  to  the 
left,  taking  a  new  position,  and  fortifying  it.  One 

man  was  killed. 

\ 

The  enemy's  position  was  'carried  by  assault  on 
the  21st,  very  handsomely,  by  our  troops,  our  loss 
being  slight,  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  having  one  man 
wounded.  Forty-three  prisoners  were  taken.  On 
the  20th,  all  the  armies  had  closed  in,  closely  con- 
verging upon  Atlanta.  But  a  gap  existed  between 
the  Corps  of  General  Thomas  and  that  of  Schofield, 
and  two  divisions  of  General  Howard's  Corps  were 
transferred  to  the  left  to  fill  it,  thereby  leaving  New- 
ton's Division  resting  on  the  Buckhead  road,  and 

O  ,  ' 

somewhat  in  air.  About  four  p.m.,  the  enemy  sal- 
lied out  in  heavy  force,  and  attacked  Newton,  swing- 
ing around  upon  Hooker's  Corps,  next  south,  and 
upon  General  R.  ~W.  Johnson's  Division,  of  Palmer's 
Corps.  Newton's  defence  was  a  line  of  rails,  hastily 


BATTLE  OP  PEACH  TEEE  CEEEK.        163 

piled  up.  Hooker  was  entirely  uncovered,  and  was 
compelled  to  fight  desperately;  Johnson  was  well 
intrenched,  and  held  his  position  with  ease.  The 
enemy's  loss  was  nearly  five  thousand  men,  besides 
seven  stands  of  colors,  and  many  prisoners.  This 
engagement  is  called  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  July,  the  enemy's 
lines  were  found  abandoned,  and  it  was  thought 
Atlanta  would  fall  without  further  contest ;  but  it 
was  a  mistake.  General  Johnston  had  been  relieved 
from  the  command  of  the  rebel  army,  and  General 
J.  B.  Hood  substituted.  Johnson  was  removed  be- 
cause he  did  not  contest  the  ground  desperately,  even 
to  the  sacrifice  of  his  army.  Hence,  with  a  know- 
ledge of  this,  Hood  was  bound  to  fight,  even  against 
his  better  judgment,  in  order  to  still  the  clamors  of 
the  Southern  people,  grown  desperate  at  their  con- 
stant reverses.  Poor  man!  he  was  doomed  to  be 
sacrificed,  let  him  choose  either  horn  of  the  dilemma. 
Did  he  fall  back  at  Sherman's  flanking  movements, 
he  would  be  denounced  as  incompetent  in  general- 
ship, and  afraid  of  hazard.  Did  he  meet  the  Federal 
troops  at  every  point  when  pressed,  hurl  his  columns 
against  them,  and  suffer  defeat  and  great  loss,  then 
the  stigma  of  rashness  and  butchery  would  attach  to 
him.  As  an  index  of  his  policy  take  Peach  Tree 
Creek. 

Again  the  order  was  forward.  At  three  a.m.,  on 
the  22d,  the  army  was  in  motion,  and  at  sunrise  the 
city  of  Atlanta  was  in  sight.  When  within  three 


164  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

miles  of  the  centre  of  the  city,  the  enemy  was  en- 
countered, with  a  bold  front,  and  behind  well-finished 
parapets.  Our  advancing  ranks  charged  them  with 
great  enthusiasm,  sweeping  over  them,  routing  or 
capturing  all  in  them. 

The  skirmishers  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  were  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Prentiss  L.  Bannister,  of 
Company  C.  His  men  did  bravely,  driving  the 
enemy  back  into  his  main  works,  within  two  miles 
of  the  centre  of  the  city.  Sergeant  Martin  L.  John- 
ston, of  Company  I,  was  killed,  and  Mark  S.  Plant, 
of  Company  D,  badly  wounded,  by  a  shell  from  one . 
of  our  own  batteries.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kilgore 
says  of  the  former,  in  his  official  report  of  the  cam- 
paign, that  '"  his  soldierly  conduct  and  bravery,  all 
through  these  seiies  of  battles  and  skirmishes,  is 
deserving  of  all  praise." 

The  regiment  lay  here  in  nearly  the  same  position 
until  the  25th  of  August.  Picket  duty  was  regularly 
performed,  and  a  few  men  were  wounded.  On  the 
23d  of  July,  Captain  William  Frost,  of  Company  E, 
was  wounded  seriously. 

On  the  27th  of  July,  General  -Stanley  assumed 
command  of  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  and  Colonel 
Grose  that  of  the  First  Division.  This  placed  Col- 
onel P.  Sidney  Post,  of  the  Fifty-ninth  Illinois,  in 
command  of  the  brigade.  On  the  5th  of  August, 
Grose  returned  to  his  brigade  wearing  the  "  star," 
having,  during  his  absence,  received  his  well-merited 
commission  as  Brigadier-General. 


DEATH  OF  MCPHEKSON.  165 

During  the  investment  of  Atlanta,  there  were  sev- 
eral sharp  battles  on  the  fronts  of  the  different  corps. 
No  attempt  was  made  to  carry  the  enemy's  defences 
around  the  city.  It  was  surrounded  with  strong 
redoubts,  built  a  year  previous,  and  these  were  now 
connected  with  curtains,  making  a  continued  line  of 
fortifications,  and  well  strengthened  by  rifle  trenches, 
abattis,  and  chevaux-de-frise.  On  the  22d  of  July, 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  had  a  terrible  engagement 
with  the  enemy,  lasting  for  several  hours,  losing  very 
heavily ;  and  among  others  was  the  gifted  and  noble 
Major-General  McPherson.  Our  loss  was  more  than 
three  thousand  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing ;  the 
enemy's  loss  was  frightful.  His  dead  alone  were 
3,200,  and  in  aggregate,  more  than  8,000  men. 

Finally,  the  expeditions  sent  out  under  Generals 
Garrard  and  Stoneman  having  destroyed  the  Augusta 
and  Macon  roads,  but  not  as  effectually  as  desired, 
owing  to  the  failure  of  General  Stoneman  to  concen- 
trate his  forces  at  Lovejoy's  (he  having  been  cap- 
tured), General  Sherman  resolved  to  move  his  army 
by  a  grand  right  flank  movement,  and  thus  obtain 
possession  of  the  Macon  road,  over  which  the  enemy 
still  brought  his  supplies.  Meantime  he  ordered 
down  from  Chattanooga  four  foui;  and  a  half  inch 
rifled  guns,  to  try  their  effect  upon  the  city.  From 
the  10th  to  the  16th  of  August  these  guns  were  kept 
in  constant  use,  night  and  day,  doing  much  execu- 
tion, destroying  many  buildings,  and  creating  great 
confusion ;  but  the  enemy  seemed  determined  to  hold 


166  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

his  works,  though  the  city  were  destroyed.  Sher- 
man did  not  desire  this,  so,  on  the  16th  of  August, 
he  issued  orders  for  the  march.  Learning,  just  then, 
that  the  rebel  General  Wheeler,  with  a  large  force 
of  cavalry,  had  attacked  his  communications  at 
Adairsville,  and  broken  the  road  at  Calhoun,  he 
countermanded  the  orders,  and  again  attempted  the 
destruction  of  the  Macon  road.  Kilpatrick  was 
selected  this  time ;  he,  too,  failed  to  do  sufficient 
damage,  owing  to  meeting  superior  forces  of  the 
enemy,  and  returned  on  the  22d  of  August.  Then 
Sherman  re-issued  his  orders.  This  was  a  most  im- 
portant movement.  Of  necessity,  it  raised  the  siege 
of  Atlanta,  and  compelled  an  attack  upon  the  ene- 
my's communications,  instead  of  upon  himself.  The 
sick  and  all  surplus  baggage  was  sent  back  to  the 
Chattahoochie,  and  the  Twentieth  Corps  with  it. 

On  the  night  of  the  25th,  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland drew  out  of  its  lines  on  the  extreme  left,  and 
moved  to  a  position  below  Proctor's  Creek.  The 
next  night  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  moved  cireu- 
tiously  to  Sandtown,  and  across  Camp  Creek,  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  moving,  meantime,  to  Utoy 
Creek,  Schofield  remaining  in  position.  The  third  ' 
movement  by  the  flank  placed  the  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee on  the  West  Point  railroad  above  Fairborn, 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  about  Eed  Oak,  and 
Schofield  at  Digs  and  Mins.  Then  commenced  the 
destruction  of  the  railroad.  And  it  was  effectually 
broken  up.  For  twelve  miles  the  ties  were  burned,  the 


BATTLE   OF   JONESBOEO.  167 

rails  heated  and  "bent,  the  cuts  filled  up  with  trees, 
rock  and  earth  intermingled,  while  loaded  shell,  pre- 
pared like  torpedoes,  were  placed  all  through  them, 
to  explode  in  the  event  of  an  attempt  to  clear  them 
out.  This  task  performed  to  General  Sherman's  sat- 
isfaction, the  army  pushed  eastward — Howard  on  the 
right,  toward  Jonesboro,  Thomas  on  the  centre,  by 
Shoal  Creek  Church  to  Couch's,  and  Schofield  on  the 
left,  about  Morrow's  Mills. 

On  the  31st  of  August,  Howard  found  himself 
within  a  mile  of  Jonesboro,  and  in  presence  of  a  large 
force  of  the  enemy.  He  at  once  formed  line  of  bat- 
tle, and  the  men  covered  their  front  with  a  parapet. 
Fighting  soon  commenced.  Schofield  at  once  moved 
on  Rough  and  Ready,  Stanley's  Corps  supporting. 
Davis's  Corps  struck  for  the  railroad.  While  these 
movements  were  progressing,  the  enemy  sallied  out 
of  his  fortifications  at  Jonesboro,  and  attacked 
Howard,  en  masse.  He  met  with  a  dreadful  reception, 
and  after  a  contest  of  two  hours,  withdrew,  leaving 
four  hundred  dead  on  the  field.  Schofield  soon  met 
opposition,  and  Stanley's  Corps  deployed  to  the 
front,  Grose  in  advance  of  the  First  Division.  His 
advance  line,  the  Ninth  and  Eighty-fourth  Indiana, 
and  the  Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  drove  the  rebel  cav- 
alry from  the  east  bank  of  Flint  river,  and  advanced, 
striking  the  Macon  road  about  4  p.m.  on  the  31st 
instant.  Grose  now  formed  line  on  the  right  of  the 
division,  Newton's  Division  joining  his  right,  the 
whole  line  fronting  south.  Here  the  troops  rested 
for  the  night. 


168  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

September  1st,  the  troops  were  all  in  motion  for 

^^^^ 

Jonesboro,  moving  down  the  railroad,  and  destroy- 
ing it  as  they  advanced. 

Towards  night  the  First  Division  joined  the  left 
of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  two  miles  north  of  Jones- 
boro. Line  of  battle  was  established,  Grose  forming 
on  the  left  of  the  First  Brigade.  Grose  was  much 
troubled  while  getting  into  line,  as  he  was  checked 
by  a  thick  bramble,  or  underbrush,  through  \  which 
it  was  almost  impossible  to  move.  Besides,  a  heavy 
skirmish  line  of  the  rebels,  supported  by  artillery, 
which  played  upon  him,  did  not  help  the  difficulty ; 
however,  he  forced  his  way  through.  Emerging 
from  the  brush,  he  found  a  long  interval  between  the 
first  and  his  brigade.  He  moved  by  the  right 
oblique,  swinging  around  his  left,  until  suddenly  he 
came  upon  the  rebel  barricades.  It  was  now  near 
night,  yet  the  Ninth  Indiana,  the  Eighty-fourth  Illi- 
nois, and  the  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylvania,  charged 
up  under  a  perfect  hailstorm  of  bullets,  to  within 
three  hundred  yards  of  the  barricades.  The  position 
was  maintained,  and  during  the  night,  the  rebels 
fled.  The  fighting  had  been  continuous  along  the 
entire  line,  Davis's  Corps,  in  particular,  having  dis- 
tinguished itself.  The  Thirty-fourth  Illinois  here 
did  important  service. 

Jonesboro  evacuated,  the  rebels  moved  south  to 
Lovejoy's.  During  the  night  of  the  1st,  heavy  ex- 
plosions were  heard  in  the  direction  of  Atlanta, 
twenty  miles  north,  succeeded  by  minor  explosions, 


THE  BKUSH  AT  LOVE  JOY5  8.          169 

which  seemed  to  the  troops  around  Jonesboro  like  a 
"battle  raging  fiercely  at  or  near  Atlanta.  No  one 
knew  the  cause,  but  evidently  it  was  one  of  two 
things — either  General  Slocum  had  made  a  night 
attack  on  the  city,  or  the  enemy  was  blowing  up  his 
magazines,  preparatory  to  an  evacuation. 

The  rebels  were  pushed  rapidly  into  Lovejoy's 
Station,  Thomas  moving  down  on  the  left  of  the 
road,  Howard  on  the  right,  Schofield  two 'miles  to 
the  east. 

As  usual,  the  rebels  were  found  strongly  in- 
trenched,- with  flanks  well  protected  behind  a  branch 
of  Walnut  Creek,  to  tke  right,  and  a  confluent  of  the 
Flint  River  to  the  left.  On  this  march  of  six  miles, 
the  First  Division  was  the  rearmost  of  the  corps. 
About  2  p.m.,  the  advance  division  came  upon  the 
enemy,  and  the  deployment  of  the  column  was 
ordered,  .Grose  moved  to  the  left  of  the  railroad, 
and  formed  in  battle  order — the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  and 
Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  and  the  Eighty-fourth  Indiana 
in  front,  in  a  corn-field  to  the  left  of  Wood's  Division. 
Soon  the  whole  army  was  in  line  of  battle,  and  an  ad- 
vance ordered.  The  configuration  of  the  ground  was 
very  rough  and  hilly,  and  rapid  movement  difficult. 
They  were  soon  upon  the  enemy  in  his  rifle  pits,  charg- 
ing uppn  him  with  a  shout,  routing  or  capturing  all  his 
forces.  Nearly  in  front  of  Grose  rose  a  hill,  one 
which  the  enemy  held,  and  the  key  to  their  position, 
for  it  commanded  their  main  works,  still  to  the  rear. 
Colonel  Bennett  was  directed  to  take  this  position. 


170  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Generals  and  others  gathered  to  witness  the  assault. 
Off  started  the  command,  the  skirmish  line  in 
advance  under  command  of  Lieutenant  James  H. 
Blodgett.  A  terrific  fire  of  artillery  and  musketry 
greeted  them  as  they  neared  the  crest.  Nothing 
daunted,  they  moved  straight  on  with  precision  and 
alacrity,  none  falling  behind  save  the  dead  and  the 
maimed.  The  summit  reached,  a  shout,  long,  and 
clear,  and  wild,  arose  upon  the  air,  and  the  issue  was 
made — the  works  were  scaled,  the  victory  won.  The 
sulphurous  canopy  lifted  from  the  earth,  and  dis- 
closed how  complete  the  success.  In  this  charge, 
Sergeant  Draper  Angel,  of  Company  H,  and  Corpo- 
ral John  Nass,  of  Company  E,  captured  and  took  to 
the  rear  eight  prisoners. 

The  rest  of  the  brigade  performed  its  part  well, 
carrying  the  parapet  in  its  front,  sustaining  heavy 
loss.  The  skirmishers  advanced  some  distance 
toward  the  main  works ;  but  the  contest  was  too 
unequal,  and  they  retired  suffering  severely. 

The  position  gained  was  fortified,  and  the  troops 
to  the  right  and  left  conjoined,  intrenching.  Here 
the  army  rested  until  the  5th,  skirmishing  at  inter- 
vals with  the  enemy,  who  presented  a  firm  front,  as 
if  still  determined  to  contest  obstinately. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  Colonel  Bennett  assumed 
command  of  the  brigade ;  and  that  night  a  courier 
arrived  from  General  Slocum,  reporting  that  the 
enemy  had  evacuated  Atlanta,  blown  up  his  maga- 
zines and  seven  trains  of  cars,  and  retreated  by  the 
McDonough  road. 


END  OF  THE  GREAT  CAMPAIGN.      .  171 

The  object  of  the  campaign  was  accomplished — 
the  Gate  City  was  in  Federal  possession — and  as  it 
was  useless  to  chase  a  demoralized  army  through  the 
wooded  country  below  them,  Sherman  ordered  a  con- 
centration of  the  army  near  Atlanta.  Therefore,  on 
the  5th,  the  countermarch  was  commenced ;  on  the 
8th,  the  armies  were  encamped — Thomas's  around 
Atlanta,  Howard's  about  East  Point,  and  Schofield's 
at  Decatur. 

Thus  closed  one  of  the  most  eventful  and  success- 
ful campaigns  in  the  history  of  modern  warfare.  For 
four  months  the  contest  was  waged  steadily,  and  for 
full  one  hundred  days  were  the  armies  under  fire. 
For  endurance  of  the  men,  severity  of  fighting,  and 
tenaciousness  of  purpose  in  attaining  its  object,  the 
campaign  is  without  a  historical  parallel. 

The  soldiers  who  fought  its  battles  need  no  eulo- 
gium.  Their  record  is  their  country's ;  their  laurels 
constitute  the  nation's  wreath  of  glory.  General 
Grose,  in  his  official  report,  says  this  of  the  brave 
men  constituting  his  command : — "  It  is  due  to  the 
officers  and  men  to  notice,  in  terms  of  gratification 
to  myself,  and  commendation  to  them,  that  better 
soldiers  I  KEVER  WISH  nor  expect  to  command." 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Kilgore,  in  his  report,  says  of 
Major  James  A.  Watson,  that  "  he  did  credit  to  him- 
self for  his  bravery  and  readiness  at  all  times,  and 
ably  performed  his  part  as  commanding  officer  of  the 
regiment  in  the  battle  of  Smyrna  Camp  Ground,  on 
the  4th  of  July." 


172  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

To  Captain  Hale  lie  pays  a  high  tribute  of  respect. 
Of  him  he  says :  "  The  regiment  has  lost  one  of  its 
best  officers,  the  country  a  valiant  and  patriotic  sol- 
dier. He  died  as  he  had  lived,  a  Christian  soldier 
and  gentleman."  The  loss  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
during  the  campaign  was,  in  officers,  one  killed  and 
four  wounded ;  in  enlisted  men,  ten  killed  and  fifty- 
three  wounded — a  total  of  68.  The  loss  of  the  brig- 
ade was,  in  killed,  ninety-six ;  in  wounded,  six  hun- 
dred and  one — a  total  of  six  hundred  and  ninety- 
seven  men.  These,  as  General  Grose — that  true- 
hearted  and  noble  soldier — feelingly  says  in  conclu- 
ding his  official  report,  "  present  the  bitter  fruit  of 
such  a  brilliant  campaign,  and  leave  many  aching 
hearts ;  not  only  with  families  and  friends  at  home, 
but  these  fallen  heroes  will  ever  be  remembered  and 
lamented  by  their  comrades  in  arms,  as  the  jewels 
sacrificed  upon  the  altar  of  our  country." 

The  Atlanta  campaign  seemed  to  clear  the  pros- 
pects of  the  war.  It  confirmed  to  the  Union  armies 
that  military  ascendancy  over  the  Confederate  forces, 
which  had  been  more  than  half  gained  already  by 
the  valor  of  our  men,  displayed  on  former  battle 
fields.  It  lent  the  sanction  of  a  victory  to  the  haz- 
ardous enterprise  of  an  invasion.  It  more  than  ever 
pronounced  the  war  a  rebellion.  It  did  more.  It 
proved  that  the  prize  for  which  we  contended — the 
restoration  of  the  Union — was  within  our  grasp,  were 
the  opportunity  pressed,  and  that  speedily. 


THE   EETEEAT   OF   THE   "UNION   FOECES THE   DECOY  OF 

HOOD SKIEMISHES      AT      COLUMBIA BATTLE      OF 

FEANKLI1ST AEEIVAL  AT  NASHVILLE. 

THE  preceding  chapter  left  the  Union  army  en- 
camped around  Atlanta,  West  Point  and  Decatur ; 
the  rebel  army  at  Lovejoy's  Station. 

Our  army  rested  quietly  in  its  camps  until  the  3rd 
of  October.     Meantime,  it  underwent  a  thorough 

'  O 

reorganization.  The  time  of  service  of  the  original 
three  years'  troops,  except  those  who  veteranized, 
had  now  expired,  and  they  mustered  out.  The  vet- 
eran organizations,  new  regiments,  and  recruits,  were 
consolidated,  the  entire  army  re-clothed  and  equipped, 
and  great  preparations  made  for  another  campaign. ; 
During  September,  the  rebel  army  under  Hood 
moved  westward  from  Lovejoy's  toward  the  Chatta- 
hoochie,  and  despatched  its  cavalry  forces  in  the 
direction  of  Carrollton  and  Powder  Springs.  The 
spirits  of  the  rebel  soldiery  were  at  a  low  ebb ;  and 
they  despaired  of  ever  achieving  success.  To  pre- 
vent the  utter  and  voluntary  disbandment  of  their 


174  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

armies,  Jefferson  Davis,  the  so-called  President  of  the 
rebellious  States,  proceeded  to  Macon,  Georgia,  and 
harangued  them,  saying  an  active  campaign  would 
at  once  be  inaugurated,  and  that  ere  it  ended,  the 
Union  forces  would  be  hurled  back  across  the  Ten- 
nessee, and  the  rebel  banner  firmly  planted  as  far 
north  as  Kentucky  soil.  Thus  encouraged,  their 
armies  started  northward,  with  Cheatham,  S.  D.  Lee, 
and  Stewart,  as  corps  commanders.  Wheeler  had 
command  of  the  cavalry.  The  fact  of  this  move- 
ment became  definitely  known  to  General  Sherman 
on  the  28th  of  September.  General  Thomas  was 
sent  to  Nashville,  to  organize  the  new  troops  ex- 
pected there  (volunteers  and  drafted  men),  and  to 
make  preparations  to  meet  Hood  from  the  north. 

About  the  first  of  October,  Wheeler's  cavalry 
crossed  the  Chattahoochie,  and  the  infantry  forces 
were  closely  following.  Sherman  immediately  ordered 
the  Twentieth  Corps  to  hold  Atlanta  and  the  Chat- 
tahoochie bridges,  and  on  the  4th  of  October,  the 
Fourth,  Fourteenth,  Fifteenth,  Seventeenth,  and 
Twenty-third  Corps,  moved  to  Smyrna  Camp 
Ground,  and  on  the  5th,  arrived  at  Kenesaw. 
Wheeler  had  already  destroyed  the  railroad  at  Big 
Shanty,  and  French's  Division  of  infantry  had  moved 
against  Allatoona,  where  were  stored  a  large  amount 
of  Government  supplies.  Its  redoubts  were  held  by 
a  force  of  three  small  regiments,  under  Colonel  Tour- 
tellotte,  of  the  Fourth  Minnesota.  General  Corse 
reinforced  him  during  the  night  of  the  4th  of  Octo- 


WEAVEE'S  PLUCKY  REFUSAL.  175 

ber,  and  met  the  attack  of  the  enemy  on  the  5th  in- 
stant. After  a  very  severe  fight,  lasting  all  day,  the 
rebels  were  repulsed  with  great  slaughter.  Hearing 
the  sound  of  the  battle  at  Kenesaw,  Sherman  ordered 
the  Twenty-third  Corps  toward  Dallas,  threatening 
the  enemy's  rear.  This  caused  his  withdrawal  to 
Dallas. 

Hood's  army  was  now  well  concentrated  and 
pushed  westward,  feigning  on  Kome,  but  striking  at 
Resaca.  Here  he  demanded  a  surrender.  But  Col- 
onel Weaver  was  a  plucky  soldier,  and  refused.  Be- 
ing reinforced  by  Raum's  Brigade,  he  repulsed  the 
assaults  made  upon  him,  and  Hood  then  employed 
his  time  in  destroying  the  railroad  from  Tilton  to 
Dalton. 

Our  troops  pushed  on  rapidly,  moving  through 
Allatoona  Pass  to  Kingston,  thence  to  Rome,  Cal- 
houn,  and  Resaca,  reaching  this  point  on  the  14th  of 
October.  Here  Sherman  determined  to  strike  Hood 
in  flank,  or  force  him  to  battle.  The  enemy  held 
Snake  Creek  Gap.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
moved  upon  this  position.  The  Fourth  and  Four- 
teenth Corps  moved  by  Tilton  to  the  rear  of  the  Gap 
near  Villanow.  Howard  engaged  the  rebels  in  front, 
but  Hood,  divining  the  trap  set  for  him,  retreated 
before  Stanley  could  get  to  his  rear.  Our  armies 
now  pushed  for  Lafayette,  desiring  to  cut  off  Hood's 
retreat.  He  was  now  stationed  at  Ship's  Gap.  On 
the  17th,  the  march  was  in  the  beautiful  valley  of 
the  Chattooga.  Howard  pursued  by  way  of  Lafay- 


THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

ette  and  Alpine,  Stanley  by  Snmrnerville  to  Gayles- 
ville,  and  Cox  from  Villanow  by  Glover's  Gap  to 
Gaylesville.  Hood,  however,  marched  light,  unen- 
cumbered by  long  trains,  and  when  arrived  at  Gayles- 
ville, Sherman  found  the  enemy  was  near  Gadsden, 
where  the  Lookout  range  abuts  on  the  Coosa  river. 

The  Chattooga  valley  is  very  rich  in  soil,  and  at 
this  time  it  abounded  in  a  plentiful  harvest,  yet  un- 
garnered.  And  as  General  Sherman  did  not  yet 
fully  know  what  course  Hood  would  pursue,  he 
determined  to  rest  a  few  days,  subsist  off  the  coun- 
try, and  watch  the  rebel  leader's  movements.  It 
was  evident  to  Sherman  that  Hood  wished  to  avoid 
a  battle ;  and  it  was  further  evident,  by  the  strategic 
game  Hood  was  playing,  that  he  had  a  sufficient 
force  to  give  Sherman  much  trouble,  by  endangering 
his  communications,  but  insufficient  to  meet  him  in 
armed  conflict.  In  view  of  these  facts,  Sherman  rea- 
soned this  way : 

"  To  remain  on  the  defensive  would  be  bad  policy 
for  an  army  of  so  great  value  as  he  commanded ;  and 
to  follow  Hood  would  simply  amount  to  being  de- 
coyed away  from  Georgia,  with  little  prospect  of 
overtaking  and  overwhelming  him." 

O  O 

He  therefore  submitted  a  plan  to  General  Grant, 
which  involved  the  destruction  of  Atlanta,  the  rail- 
road to  Chattanooga,  and  a  march  from  Atlanta 
through  the  heart  of  Georgia,  to  one  or  more  of  the 
great  Atlantic  seaports.  Sherman's  plan  having  re- 
ceived the  sanction  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  he 
prepared  for  the  march. 


HOOD'S  INVASION. 


The  Fourth  Corps  was  ordered  to  Chattanooga  on 
the  26th  of  October,  and  on  the  30th  instant  the 
Twenty-third  Corps  proceeded  to  the  same  place  — 
both  under  orders  to  report  to  General  Thomas  at 
Nashville,  who  had  full  powers  of  command  over  all 
the  troops  in  his  Military  Division,  excepting  the 
four  corps  which  were  to  move  southward.  This 
gave  Thomas  the  Fourth  and  Twenty-third  Corps  ; 
also  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  .A.  J.  Smith's,  then  in  West 
Tennessee  ;  also  all  the  troops  in  the  various  garri- 
sons, and  the  cavalry  forces  of  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee, under  Generals  Wilson  and  Johnson.  This 
aggregate  force  Sherman  deemed  sufficient  for 
Thomas  to  repel  any  invasion  Hood  might  attempt. 

Sherman,  now  turned  his  attention  southward. 
Rome  and  Atlanta  were  destroyed.  All  garrisons, 
muniments  of  war  and  supplies  were  sent  to  'Chatta- 
nooga, fortifications  razed,  and  the  country,  so  far  as 
possible,  desolated.  By  the  14th  of  November  all 
was  in  readiness,  and  the  campaign  commenced.  It 
does  not  belong  to  this  book  to  detail  these  move- 
ments. Sherman's  "  Great  March  to  the  Sea,"  is  as 
familiar  as  Dickens'  "  Household  Words  ;"  and  to  its 
"  Story,"  published  by  several  ambitious  writers,  I 
refer. 

By  the  1st  of  November  Hood's  army  had  moved 
westward  from  Gadsden,  made  a  feint  upon  Decatur, 
passed  Tuscumbia,  and  laid  a  pontoon  at  Florence, 
Alabama.  It  was  plain,  now,  that  Hood  was  cany- 
ing  out  the  invasion  announced  by  Davis  in  his 
12 


178  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

speech  at  Macon,  and  that  its  aim  was  the  occupation 
of  Western  Kentucky. 

This  necessitated  a  rapid  movement  of  the  Fourth 
and  Twenty-third  Corps  to  Pulaski,  to  intercept  the 
onward  march  of  the  rebel  horde.  Consequently  the 
Fourth  Corps  was  embarked  as  speedily  as  possible 
in  cars,  and  pushed  forward  to  Athens,  Alabama. 
The  First  Division  was  in  advance,  and  the  Third 
Brigade,  Colonel  L.  H.  Waters,  Eighty-fourth  Illi- 
nois, now  commanding,  was  the  first  to  reach  this 
point,  disembarking  at  2  a.  m.,  on  the  first  of 
November.  The  fort  was  found  abandoned,  the  regi- 
ments (new  ones)  which  held  it  had  been  terribly 
frightened  at  the  mere  report  of  an  enemy  in  their 
vicinity,  and  ignominiously  retreated.  The  ground 
was  strewed  with  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  cloth- 
ing, blankets  and  rations.  The  Pioneer  Company 
was  the  first  inside  the  fort,  and  made  their  choice  in 
the  spoils.  A  reconnoissance  was  made,  but  no 
enemy  was  found.  A  squad  of  rebel  cavalry  had 
ventured  into  the  vicinity,  but  attempted  no  harm, 
not  even  displacing  a  rail  on  the  road.  Information 
was  gathered  that  Hood  had  crossed  the  Tennessee 
near  Florence,  and  was  moving  north  by  the  old  mil- 
itary road,  the  one  which  General  Jackson  used 
when,  in  1812,  he  marched  to  New  Orleans.  The 
corps  having  all  arrived  at  Athens,  daylight  of  the 
2d  instant  found  the  troops  en  route  for  Pulaski, 
wading  Elfc  river,  and  camping  at  Pulaski  on  the 
evening  of  the  3rd  of  November.  While  here,  all 


THE  DEFENCE  OF  PULASKI.          179 

the  hills  around  the  town  were  fortified,  and  an  ex- 
tensive line  of  rifle  pits  constructed,  the  enemy  being 
expected  to  attack  that  point,  as  until  near  the  20th, 
it  was  defended  by  the  Fourth  Corps  only.  About 
this  time  a  small  portion  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps 
arrived,  the  larger  part  of  it  remaining  at  Columbia, 
thirty-four  miles  north,  that  place  being  also  threat- 
ened by  the  enemy's  cavalry.  On  the  23rd  of 
November,  General  Thomas  ascertained,  beyond  a 
doubt,  that  Hood  was  striving  to  outflank  him  by 
passing  some  distance  westward,  and  crossing  the 
defile  of  Duck  river,  thence  moving  rapidly  on  Nash- 
ville and  its  defences,  unguarded  save  by  the  force 
under  Major-General  L.  H.  Kousseau,  District 
Commander,  and  his  subordinate,  the  Post  Com- 
mandant, General  John  F.  Miller.  .  The  Fourth 
Corps  fell  back  upon  Columbia  during  the  night 
of  the  23rd,  arriving  there  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  24th,  making  a  forced  march  of  thirty-four 
miles  over  a  hard  pike  in  less  than  twelve  hours. 
By  the  time  they  reached  Columbia,  the  men  were 
tired  nearly  to  death,  yet  there  was  no  rest  for  them. 
The  presence  of  the  enemy  was  immediate.  Indeed, 
the  rear  of  the  column  had  skirmished  briskly  the 
last  five  miles  out.  Here  the  pioneers,  and,  in  fact, 
all  of  the  troops,  as  at  Pulaski,  were  engaged  in 
throwing  up  breastworks  facing  south  and  west,  and 
in  a  semi-circular  line,  about  a  mile  from  town. 

When  Pulaski  was  evacuated,  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
ILLINOIS  was  left  behind  to  destroy  all  stores  and 


180  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

ammunition  which  the  trains  were  unable  to  trans- 
port north.  A  large  amount  of  supplies,  principally 
sanitary,  was  consigned  to  the  flames — more,  in  fact, 
than  had  ever  been  issued  to  the  Fourth  Corps  dur- 
ing its  entire  existence.  Yet  the  corps  had  lain  at 
Pulaski  full  twenty  days,  and  sorely  needed  much  of 
what  was  destroyed.  The  Sanitary  Commission 
knew  full  well  that  the  tenure  of  the  place  was  ex- 
tremely doubtful ;  still  they  preferred  their  whole- 
sale destruction  to  their  speedy  issue,  although  well 
deserved. 

This  fact  excited  much  bitter  comment  among  the 
soldiers — and  justly.  Nor  is  it  the  first  instance  in 
this  army  where  a  similar  scene  has  transpired.  This 
work  was  accomplished  by  midnight,  and  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH joined  the  brigade  two  miles  from  town, 
and  hastened  north,  serving  as  the  infantry  rear 
guard  of  the  retreating  column.  A  small  force  of 
cavalry  covered  their  movement.  They  arrived  at 
Pulaski  at  8  p.  m.,  on  the  24th,  having  marched 
constantly,  and  without  stopping  to  cook  rations. 

The  troops  remained  in  position  on  the  defences 
around  Columbia  until  the  night  of  the  28th  of 
November.  They  then  withdrew  to  the  north  bank 
of  Duck  Kiver,  and  intrenched,  the  Pioneers  doing 
the  principal  work.  It  is  well  here  to  add  a  word 
concerning  that  little  force  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
ILLINOIS.  After  the  close  of  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
Lieutenant  Newton  was  relieved,  being  placed  in 
charge  of  a  transportation  train,  and  Sergeant  Tal- 


PLAN  OF  THE  EEBEL  CHIEFTAIN.        181 

bot  went  home  on  furlough.  Sergeant  George  M. 
Houck,  of  Company  E,  was  then  placed  in  command, 
and  thenceforward  discharged  the  duties  of  com- 
manding officer  faithfully  and  well,  constructing  em- 
brasures and  bridges  across  the  Elk  and  Duck  Riv- 
ers. On  the  29th  instant^  the  position  was  aban- 
doned, and  the  whole  army  retreated  north  to  Spring 
Hill.  While  on  this  march,  General  Grose,  who  had 
been  absent  home,  returned,  and  assumed  command 
of  the  Third  Brigade. 

Let  us  now,  in  order  to  a  full  understanding  of 
these  movements,  examine  the  designs  and  operations 
of  Hood,  the  rebel  chief.  His  aim  was,  if  possible, 
to  reach  Kentucky  without  offering  or  being  forced 
into  a  battle.  The  reason  of  this  was,  that  he  ex- 
pected the  rebellious  portion  of  her  people  would 
flock  to  his  standard,  and  that  his  army  would  thus 
be  increased  to  at  least  80,000  or  90,000  effective 
men.  This,  he  judged,  would  enable  him  to  defeat 
any  force  Thomas  could  bring  against  him.  Hood 
commenced  his  campaign  by  moving  from  Florence, 
Alabama,  on  the  21st  of  November.  The  want  of 
a  good  map  of  the  country,  and  the  deep  mud  through 
which  his  army  marched  (for  it  had  rained  almost 
constantly  for  three  weeks  previous)  prevented  him 
from  appearing  in  front  of  Columbia  within  three 
days'  march  of  the  time  he  intended.  Thus  General 
Thomas  ascertained  his  locality,  and  checkmated  the 
game  by  falling  back  upon  Columbia  on  the  23rd 
instant.  During  the  29th,  his  army  was  all  in  posi- 


182  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

tion  in  front  of  our  defences  at  Columbia.  And  here 
he  sought  again  to  outflank  and  cut  off.  With  this 
view,  on  the  night  of  the  28th,  he  crossed  Forrest's 
cavalry  to  the  north  bank  of  Duck  River,  a  few  miles 
above  the  town,  and  during  the  29th,  followed  with 
Stewart's  and  Cheatham's  Corps,  and  Johnson's 
Division  of  Lee's  Corps,  leaving  Lee's  other  divisions 
to  make  a  show  of  front  at  Columbia,  and  hold 
Thomas's  forces  in  position.  His  troops  marched 
light,  with  only  one  battery  to  a  corps,  his  object 
being  to  turn  Thomas's  flank  by  moving  on  roads 
running  parallel  to  the  Columbia  and  Franklin  pikes, 
intersecting  at  Spring  Hill,  and  thus  cut  off  that  por- 
tion of  our  army  at  Columbia.  But  again  Thomas 
discovered  Hood's  intention,  and  retreated  to  Spring 
Hill.  His  cavalry  engaged  our  forces  in  charge  of 
the  trains,  which  stretched  fully  ten  miles,  about 
mid-day,  but  they  were  so  strongly  guarded  that  no 
impression  was  made,  nor  damage  done,  save  in  a 
few  killed  and  wounded.  Here  our  army  had  a  nar- 
row escape.  Cheatham's  Corps  had  formed  in  line 
two  miles  south  of  Spring  Hill,  and  he  was  ordered 
to  attack  the  column  in  charge  of  the  trains  vigor- 
ously, destroy  the  trains,  and  get  possession  of  the 
pike.  But  for  some  reason,  Cheatham  made  but  a 
feeble  and  partial  attack,  failing,  in  consequence,  to 
reach  the  pike.  Stewart's  Corps  and  Johnson's 
Division  were  hastening  to  Cheatham's  support ;  but 
night  had  now  come  on,  and  it  was  one  of  pitchy 
blackness ;  and  Stewart,  who  was  instructed  to  form 


THE  ESCAPE  AT  SPKETO  HILL.  183 

his  line  on  Cheatham's  right,  failed  to  find  it,  .and 
after  groping  about  until  near  11  p.  m.,  went  into 
bivouac^  It  was  about  midnight  that  the  greater 
part  of  our  forces  pushed  through  Spring  Hill,  mov- 
ing in  great  confusion — artillery,  wagon  and  ammu- 
nition trains,  and  troops,  all  intermixed.  Not  a  mile 
to  the  right  were  seen  the  camp  fires  of  Stewart's 
Corps,  brightly  burning,  and  all  along  the  line  ''of 
flankers  were  heard  the  exchanged  shots  with  the 
rebel  pickets.  This  made  matters  worse.  All  of 
our  men  expected  capture  and  rout.  Hood  was  in- 
formed of  this  fact,  and  ordered  Cheatham  to  attack 
him  with  a  heavy  force  of  skirmishers,  and  still  fur- 
ther confuse  the  march.  Again  Cheatham  failed  to 
accomplish  the  duty  assigned  him,  and  all  passed 
safely,  reaching  Franklin  on  the  morning  of  the  30th 
of  November.  It  cannot  be  questioned  that  had 
Cheatham  deployed  a  skirmish  line,  and  pressed  it 
firmly,  there  would  have  been  an  abandonment  of 
our  entire  trains,  and  a  perfect  temporary  rout  of  our 
army.  The  only  reason  that  can  be  assigned  for 
Cheatham's  non-compliance  with  Hood's  order  is, 
that  he  was  himself  unfamiliar  with  the  country 
around  him,  and  was  afraid  to  attack  in  the  night, 
lest  his  own  corps  should,  in  the  confusion,  become 
demoralized,  and  be  as  badly  off  as  the  Union  forces. 
Again,  he  doubtless  thought  our  troops  would  make 
a  stouter  resistance  than  they  were  really  capable  of 
doing,  for  they  were  stretched  along  the  pike  by 
brigades,  for  miles.  Thus  was  the  golden  opportu- 


184  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

nity  lost  to  Hood  to  bring  disaster,  upon  our  arms. 
Now  there  was  no  chance  of  cutting  our  army  off 
from  its  depot  of  supplies  and  defences  at  Nashville. 

Our  troops,  now  under  command  of  General  Scho- 
field, of  the  Twenty-third  Corps,  fell  back  upon 
Franklin,  making  a  feint  as  if  to  give  battle  on  the 
hills  some  four  miles  south  of  Franklin ;  but  upon 
the  appearance  of  Stewart's  Corps,  which  imme- 
diately deployed  for  attack,  and  sought  again  to 
flank  by  the  left,  Schofield  ordered  them  to  retire 
slowly  but  obstinately  to  Franklin.  Hood  now 
ascertained,  by  dispatches  from  Thomas  to  Schofield 
(and  which  were  captured  at  Spring  Hill),  that  the 
latter  was  directed  to  hold  that  place  until  the  posi- 
tion at  Franklin  could  be  fortified,  indicating  that 
Thomas  would  hold  his  old  line  of  defences  from 
Franklin  to  Murfreesboro.  Hood,  therefore,  judged 
it  all-important  to  attack  Schofield  and  Stanley  be- 
fore this  position  was  secured. 

Schofield  established  his  line  of  battle  in  the  south- 
erly limits  of  the  town,  with  its  flanks  resting  upon 
the  Harpeth  River,  which  here  makes  a  very  abrupt 
bend,  half  encircling  the  place.  The  First  Division 
of  the  Fourth  Corps  formed  on  the  extreme  right,  its 
left  resting  on  the  extension  of  the  main  street.  Its 

o 

general  direction  was  east,  and  west,  with  a  portion 
of  Grose's  Brigade  refused  to  the  right.  Joining 
this  division  was  the  Second  Division  of  the  Twenty- 
third  Corps,  prolonging  the  line  in  a  north-east  direc- 
tion. The  First  Division  of  this  corps  completed  the 


DEPLOYMENT  FOE  BATTLE.  185 

line,  its  direction  being  due  north.  A  reserve  force 
rested  in  the  rear  centre  of  each  division.  Seven 
hundred  yards  of  this  front  was  an  advanced  fortified 
line  extending  across  the  Columbia  Pike,  and  defended 
by  the  Second  and  Third  Brigades  of  the  Second 
Division,  Fourth  Corps.  The  Third  Division  of  the 
Fourth  Corps  was  placed  in  position  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  river,  to  protect  the  trains,  and  serve  as 
ah  auxiliary  force,  if  the  emergency  required.  The 
men  were  very  tired,  worn  out  by  the  tedious 
marches  and  fatigues,  and  many  of  them  fell  asleep 
while  constructing  their  hastily-formed  barricades. 
It  was  near  three  o'clock,  p.  m.,  when  our  troops 
were  all  in  position,  and  they  were  immediately  con- 
fronted by  Hood,  whose  front  line  was  formed  by 
deploying  Stewart's  column  to  the  right,  and  Cheat- 
ham's  to  the  left,  of  the  Columbia  Pike,  his  right 
stretching  across  the  Nashville  and  Decatur  railroad, 
reaching  well  to  Carter's  Creek  Pike.  Wheeler's  cav- 
alry guarded  well  his  flanks,  and  Johnson's  Division 
lay  in  rear,  as  reserve.  At  4  p.  m.,  Hood's  line 
advanced,  with  orders  to  drive  our  forces,  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  into  or  across  the  Harpeth 
Kiver,  while  Forrest,  if  the  charge  should  be  success- 
ful, was  to  cross  the  river,  attack  and  destroy  the 
trains  and  broken  columns.  It  was  a  fearful  moment 
when  the  rebels  advanced  to  the  charge.  With  an 
iron  steadiness  they  marched  up  to  the  outer  works. 
Our  soldiery  for  a  time  held  their  ground,  fighting 
most  desperately,  and  dealing  fearful  execution  on 


186  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

the  assailants.  But  they  were  overpowered  and  forced 
to  retreat  to  the  main  line.  The  rebels  had  indeed 
handsomely  carried  the  position,  and  captured  many 
prisoners. 

Emboldened  by  this  success,  they  advanced  against 
our  interior  lines,  and  succeeded  in  this  also,  in  some 
places.  And  here,  too,  the  battle  was  of  the  fiercest 
possible  character.  The  main  assaults  were  directed 
upon  the  divisions  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps,  and 
lapping  partially  on  the  front  of  the  First  Division 
of  the  Fourth  Corps. 

The  enemy  advanced  but  once  upon  the  front  of 
Grose's  Brigade,  and  then  he  met  with  a  disastrous 
reception.  This  charging  column,  as  it  swept  over 
the  open  field,  was  directed  full  upon  the  front  of  the 
Ninth  and  Thirtieth  Indiana,  and  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
ILLINOIS.  As  he  approached  within  easy  musket 
range,  General  Grose  ordered  his  men  to  fire.  The 
effect  was  terrible,  and  the  rebels  fled  precipitately. 
They  made  no  lodgment  on  Grose's  front ;  but  on 
the  left  of  the  First  Division  their  success  was  more 
encouraging.  Never  did  brave  but  deluded  men 
fight  more  earnestly,  or  with  more  infatuation  of 
madness.  The  rebels  were  for  some  distance  on  the 
outer  side  of  the  parapet,  our  heroes  on  the  inner 
side.  Muskets  were  clubbed,  the  bayonets  freely 
used,  and  in  many  instances  the  pioneers  fought  with 
their  spades  and  axes.  *=.. 

I  regret  that  I  am  unable  to  particularize 
more  of  what  occurred  with  Grose,  although  I 


THE  KEPTJLSE  BY  GEOSE.  187 

am  satisfied  I  have,  in  the  brief  statement  made, 
done  the  command  justice.*  Such,  in  brief,  was 
the  battle  of  Franklin.  It  was  terrible ;  the  rebels 
held  out,  constantly,  though  vainly,  hoping  to 
break  our  centre;  till,  after  suffering  unparalleled 
loss,  night  came  on,  which  the  rebels  had  the  melan- 
choly honor  of  passing  on  the  field  of  battle.  Gen- 
eral Stanley,  who  was  ever  present,  and  distinguished 
himself  by  his  daring  bravery,  was  wounded.  Among 
the  rebels  killed  were  Major-General  P.  R.  Cleburn, 
Brigadiers  Gist,  John  Adams,  Strahl,  and  Granbury. 
Among  the  wounded  were  Major-General  Brown, 
Brigadiers  Carter,  Cockrell,  Manigault,  and  Scott. 
General  Gordon  was  captured. 

Each  party  claimed  the  victory;  Schofield  and 
Thomas  exhibiting,  as  proof  of  'their  success,  twelve 
rebel  banners,  which  their  corps,  admitted  to  be  in- 
ferior in  numbers,  bore  off  the  field ;  and  the  heavy 
loss  which  they  had  inflicted  upon  the  rebels :  Hood, 
that  he  kept  possession  of  the  field,  while  our  forces 
retired,  the  very  night  of  the  battle,  from  Franklin 
to  Nashville.  Five  of  our  flags  were  in  rebel  hands, 
and  the  ground  between  was  strewed  with  six  thou- 
sand killed  and  wounded;  but  five-sixths  of  them 
were  gray-coats. 

About  9  p.  m.  the  troops  commenced  falling  back 
upon  Nashville.  General  Grose's  Brigade,  under 

*  In  writing  this  chapter,  I  find  that  what  purported  to  be  General 
Grose's  report  of  the  battle  of  Franklin  was  only  a  duplicate  of  the  battle 
of  Nashville ;  and  I  have  no  time  nor  opportunity  to  obtain  it 


188  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

command  of  Colonel  Bennett,  moved  as  rear  guard, 
covering  the  retreat  until  after  passing  Wood's  Divi- 
sion, still  in  bivouac  on  the  north  side  of  the  river. 
The  brigade  marched  all  night,  arriving  at  Nashville 
in  the  forenoon  of  December  1,  1864.  During  that 
day  the  entire  army  was  in  position  around  the  city, 
and  awaited  Hood's  advance. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


THE   BATTLE   OF   NASHVILLE — GALLANTRY   OF   GROSE7  S 

COMMAND DEFEAT    AND    ROUT    OF    HOOD'S    ARMY 

CESSATION  OF  PURSUIT. 


THE  position  around  Nashville  was  quickly  taken, 
and  rapidly  fortified  with  a  redan  line  of  pits,  con- 
necting the  forts,  which  had  been  previously  erected. 
Major-General  Steedman,  commanding  the  colored 
troops,  formed  and  intrenched  on  the  extreme  left  of 
the  line,  his  left  flank  resting  on  the  Cumberland 
Kiver  above  the  city,  and  one  mile  from  its  outskirts. 
The  Twenty-third  Army  Corps,  General  Schofield 
commanding,  joined  Steedman  on  the  right,  extend- 
ing to  the  Granny  White  Pike.  The  Fourth  Army 
Corps,  General  Thomas  J.  "Wood,  joined  Schofield, 
his  right  stretching  across  the  Hillsboro  Pike,  and 
nearly  to  the  Hardin  Pike.  The  Sixteenth  Army 
Corps,  General  A.  J.  Smith,  having  arrived  from 
Memphis,  extended  Wood's  line  to  the  river  below 
the  town.  General  Wilson's  cavalry  corps  rested 
near  the  river,  and  behind  Smith's  right  wing.  The 
forces  of  General  John  F.  Miller,  Post  Commandant, 


190  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

occupied  the  inner  line  of  intrenchinents,  from  the 
Murfreesboro  Pike  to  Fort  Negley.  The  Quarter- 
master's forces,  consisting  of  all  Government  employ- 
ees, numbering  thousands,  guarded  the  line  from  the 
Granny  White  to  the  Charlotte  Pike. 

On  the  2d  of  December,  the  enemy  made  his 
appearance,  deploying  along  our  entire  front,  and 
threw  up  a  line  of  works,  varying  in  distance  from 
700  to  1,500  yards  of  ours.  On  the  3d  he  advanced 
upon  the  front  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  and  attacked 
the  skirmish  line.  He  was  repulsed,  and  our  men 
occupied  the  position  lost  by  him.  On  the  6th  it 
was  ascertained  that  Hood  was  calling  for  volunteers 
to  storm  our  works ;  in  consequence  of  which,  unu- 
sual vigilance  was  kept  up,  and  extra  dispositions 
made  to  meet  the  attack ;  but  nothing  came  of  it. 
On  the  8th,  the  enemy  attacked  the  outposts  in  front 
of  the  First  Division,  drove  in  the  pickets,  and  occu- 
pied the  line  of  works ;  but  by  rallying  the  skir- 
mishers and  charging  the  enemy,  they  were  repulsed 
and  the  line  retaken  and  held.  From  this  time  until 
the  14th,  heavy  details  were  constantly  engaged 
strengthening  the  works,  and  preparing  both  for 
offence  and  defence.  On  the  14th,  General  Grose 
received  orders  to  march  at  6  a.m.,  on  the  15th,  this 
being  the  day  set  by  General  Thomas  for  attacking 
the  enemy  in  his  fortified  position. 

The  plan  of  the  battle  was  this :  General  Steed- 
man  attacked  the  enemy's  advanced  position  on  his 
right,  as  a  demonstration,  and  Wilson's  cavalry  made 


THE  OKDER  OF  BATTLE.       >  191 

a  wide  detour,  to  attain  the  enemy's  left  and  rear. 
Smith's  Corps  moved  en  echelon,  to  strike  the  rebel 
left,  in  conjunction  with  the  cavalry  movement. 
Wood's  Corps  held  its  intrenched  line,  connecting 
with  Smith's  right.  The  intrenchments  and  forts 
were  held  by  new  troops.  Schofield's  Corps  lay  in 
reserve.  Steedman's  demonstration  was  successful. 
Johnson's  cavalry,  on  the  extreme  left,  drove  the 
rebel  General  Chalmers's  cavalry  from  his  position 
on  the  river,  capturing  his  artillery,  and  pursued 
him  down  the  Charlotte  Pike.  Smith's  Corps  swung 
around  to  conform  with  the  cavalry  advance.  At 
1  p.m.,  Wood's  Corps  assaulted  and  carried  Mont- 
gomery Hill.  Then  Smith's  Corps  and  Hatch's  cav- 
alry advanced  and  seized  the  rebel  positions  in  their 
fronts.  This  was  at  2  p.m.  Schofield's  then  moved 
rapidly  to  the  right  of  Smith,  and  formed  line  of  bat- 
tle, extending  his  right. 

Then  the  whole  line  swept  forward.  Wood's 
Corps  •  forced  every  rebel  position  in  his  front,  rout- 
ing the  enemy  from  three  fortified  hills.  Smith, 
Schofield,  and  the  dismounted  cavalry,  pressed  back 
the  rebel  left,  and  drove  them  a  mile  among  the 
Brentwood  Hills.  It  was  now  night,  and  darkness 
ended  the  conflict.  The  conflict  was  bloody,  the 
battle  desperate — the  spoils,  thirty  cannon  and  2,000 
prisoners.  Such  was  the  outline  of  the  battle  on  the 
15th  of  December. 

It  is  proper  now  to  particularize  the  operations  of 
Grose's  command.  His  effective  force  was  seven 


192  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

regiments — in  all,  2,190  men.  The  order  of  battle, 
when  the  corps  advanced  from  its  works,  was  en  eche- 
lon, by  divisions  forward  on  the  right.  His  brigade 
was  formed  on  the  right  of  the  Hillsboro  Pike,  and 
directly  in  front  of  the  enemy's  fortifications,  which, 
in  fact,  extended  around  the  city.  The  Second  Divi- 
sion of  the  corps  was  on  his  right ;  the  First  Brigade 
of  the  First  Division  on  his  left.  The  Ninth  Indiana, 
Eightieth  and  Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  were  in  the  front 
line ;  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  Thirtieth  and 
Eighty-fourth  Indiana  in  the  second  line ;  the  Sev- 
enty-seventh Pennsylvania  in  reserve.  The  enemy's 
line  of  works  ran  at  right  angles  with  the  Franklin 
and  Granny  White  Pikes,  and  continued  until  it 
reached  a  high  hill  to  the  left  of  the  Hillsboro  Pike. 
Then  it  made  an  angle  obliquely  to  the  rear,  front-* 
ing  near  the  left  of  that  pike,  covering  well  the  left 
flank  of  his  main  line  of  battle. 

Grose's  brigade  was  formed  directly  in  front  of 
this  angle.  It  was  noon  when  Smith's  Corps  and  the 
cavalry  had  swung  around,  they  having  much  far- 
ther to  move,  before  the  Fourth  Corps  could  advance 
in  a  general  and  effective  line  of  battle.  Meantime, 
a  furious  musketry  fire  was  kept  up,  and  the  guns 
from  Forts  JSTegley,  Confiscation,  and  Morton,  thun- 
dered away  with  ominous  mutterings,  filling  the  air 
with  screaming  shells,  which  exploded  in  the  enemy's 
line  frequently,  dispersing  his  moving  columns,  and 
disorganizing  his  order  of  battle.  When  Smith's 
Corps  had  attained  its  proper  alignment,  the  Fourth 


THE  CHAEGE  BY  GENEEAL  WOOD.       193 

Corps  moved  forward  in  grand  style,  driving  the 
enemy's  outposts — Grose*s  men,  especially,  capturing 
many  prisoners,  and  sustaining  some  loss,  occasioned 
mostly  by  artillery  fire. 

The  hill  was  carried,  the  rebels  falling  back  to 
their  works.  Skirmishers  were  then  thrown  well 
down  the  acclivity.  While  resting  here,  General 
Grose  suggested  to  the  corps  commander  that  if  an- 
other intervening  ridge,  to  the  left  of  his  command, 
and  in  front  of  Kirby's  Brigade,  was  carried,  he 
could  advance  across  the  valley,  and  carry  by  assault 
the  enemy's  main  line,  where  was  posted  the  artillery 
which  had  done  him  so  much  damage.  General 
Wood  promptly  replied  that  it  should  be  done. 
Soon  after,  he  advanced,  in  conjunction  with  Kirby's 
Brigade.  Away  went  the  line,  through  hedges  and 
over  stone  walls,  and  across  the  narrow  valley,  until 
it  reached  a  long  stone  wall  at  the  base  of  the  ene- 
my's hill,  and  about  four  hundred  yards  from  his 
main  works  and  battery  at  the  angle  before  men- 
tioned. Much  time  was  spent  here,  under  the  pro- 
tection of  this  wall,  in  preparing  for  the  assault,  and 
awaiting  the  advance  of  the  division  on  the  right,  to 
preserve  intact  the  line.  Meantime,  Grose's  and 
Kirby's  skirmishers  gradually  crept  up  the  hill.  The 
loss  at  this  time  was  not  great ;  but  the  next  move- 
ment seemed  to  the  soldiers  pregnant  with  danger. 
A  thick  storm  of  shot  and  shell  crashed  through  the 
air  above  them,  but  it  seems  that  these  missiles  of 
war  sound  far  more  dangerous  than  they  are.  Near 
13 


194  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

four  o'clock  all  was  in  readiness,  the  bugle  sounded 
"  forward,"  and  the  whole  line,  from  right  to  left, 
was  instantly  in  motion.  The  Eightieth  Illinois, 
Grose's  centre  regiment,  struck  the  enemy  right  at 
the  angle  of  his  works,  the  Eighty-fourth  Illinois  to 
the  right,  and  the  Ninth  Indiana  to  the  left.  Up 
the  hill  they  rushed,  like  the  surging  of  a  tidal  wave, 
stark  on,  full  against  the  rebel  stronghold,  over  his 
works,  fighting  hand  to  hand,  routing  the  host,  kill- 
ing many  and  capturing  many.  And,  strange  to 
say,  the  loss  to  us  was  trifling.  Thus  do  dangers 
shrink  before  the  advance  of  brave  men.  The  strug- 
gle was  very  short — scarce  ten  minutes.  A  four  gun 
battery  was  among  the  trophies.  Grose's  advance 
was  now  all  excitement ;  eager  for  pursuit,  his  two 
left  regiments,  without  support,  followed  the  enemy 
some  six  hundred  yards  beyond  the  works,  and 
halted  only  under  imperative  orders.  It  was  now 
near  dusk.  The  sun  was  already  setting,  and  fight- 
ing must  soon  cease. 

This  grand  triumph  had  necessarily  broken  the 
line  formation.  This  was  now  re-adjusted,  and  pur- 
suit attempted.  The  brigade  crossed  the  Granny 
White  pike,  moving  along  the  enemy's  works  to  the 
east,  feeling  for  the  rebel  outposts  ;  but  night  settled 
down  heavily,  and  the  pursuit  was  abandoned.  The 
pioneers  threw  up  a  hasty  line  of  defence  on  the 
brigade  front,  and  the  command  rested  for  the  night. 

Thus  ended  the  first  day's  battle.  The  morrow 
was  to  witness  a  deadlier  strife.  On  the  16th  of 


THE   DEADLY   STKIFE.  195 

December,  the  operations  were  as  follows :  Wood's 
Corps  pushed  the  enemy's  advanced  lines  backward 
across  the  Franklin  Pike  into  his  intrenchments  on 
the  Overton  Hills.  Smith's  Corps,  connecting  with 
Wood  and  Schofield,  pressed  the  enemy  closely.  A 
furious  assault  was  made  upon  the  enemy  at  Over- 
ton  Hills  ;  but  the  rebels  fought  with  frightful  mad- 
ness, and  the  attack  was  repulsed.  Meantime,  Wil- 
son's cavalry,  under  Hatch  and  Croxton,  made  a  de- 
tour to  the  Granny  White  Pike,  and  attacked  the 
enemy's  left  and  rear  vigorously.  Smith  then  assailed 
and  carried  the  key  point  to  the  enemy's  position,  on 
the  Brentwood  Hills,  and  to  the  right  of  the  Granny 
White  Pike.  This  success  was  followed  by  an 
advance  of  the  whole  line  to  the  extreme  left,  result- 
ing in  the  capture  of  every  part  of  the  rebel  intrench- 
ments, twenty-five  guns,  and  3,000  prisoners.  The 
enemy,  routed  at  all  points,  retreated  toward  Frank- 
lin, pursued  by  cavalry,  under  Hatch  and  Johnson. 

Again  to  detail  Grose's  movements.  At  day  light,, 
on  the  16th,  he  advanced,  crossed  a  creek,  and  occu- 
pied the  abandoned  works  of  the  enemy,  on  the  right 
of  the  Franklin  Pike,  skirmishing  going  briskly  on. 
Beyond  this  was  discovered  another  abandoned  posi- 
tion of  the  enemy,  and  the  brigade  occupied  it. 
There  was  much  moving  about  at  this  time,  to  ascer- 
tain the  precise  locality  of  the  enemy's  main  line. 
It  was  near  noon  when  this  was  discovered,  and 
orders  issued  for  an  advance.  Grose  formed  in  three 
lines:  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  Eighty-fourth 


196  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Indiana,  and  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylvania  in  the 
front  line ;  the  Eighty-fourth  Illinois  and  Ninth  Indi- 
ana in  the  second  line ;  the  Eightieth  Illinois  and 
the  Thirtieth  Indiana  in  the  third  line. 

Advancing  a  little,  the  rebel  lines  were  in  plain 
view.  Sharpshooters  were  busy,  and  the  irruptions 
of  artillery  frequent.  The  ground  in  Grose's  front 
was  open — mostly  tillage  land,  with  a  ravine  run- 
ning obliquely  across  his  front  to  the  left,  and  which 
he  must  cross  before  reaching  the  enemy's  line. 
Soon  after  noon  the  advance  was  ordered,  and  the 
Fourth  Corps  moved  to  battle.  The  rebel  skirmish- 
ers rapidly  withdrew  to  their  advanced  line  of  works. 
These  were  assaulted  and  carried  with  inconsiderable 
loss.  At  this  juncture,  Grose  discovered  the  Third 
Division  moving  on  the  enemy's  main  works,  some 
four  hundred  yards  on  his  front ;  and,  anxious  to  be 
as  forward  as  the  most  daring,  he  ordered  an  advance. 
Hardly  was  his  line  in  motion  before  he  discovered 
that  the  Second  Division,  on  his  right,  had  not 
moved.  Not  wishing  to  expose  his  right  flank  to  a 
decimating  enfilade  fire,  he  directed  his  two  right 
battalions  to  halt.  The  left  battalion,  Seventy-sev- 
enth Pennsylvania,  moved  forward  on  the  right  01 
the  Third  Division,  to  within  a  few  paces  of  the  re- 
doubt. A  terrific  fire  of  round  shot,  canister  and 
grape,  caused  the  Third  Division  to  fall  back,  and 
Rose  retired  with  it.  In  this  charge,  the  gallant 
Lieutenant  A.  T.  Baldwin  fell  dead.  Grose  now 
directed  the  line  of  parapets  which  he  held  to  be 


THE   WHITE   LINE   OF   DEATH. 

strengthened.  And  here  he  rested  securely.  About 
4  p.  m.  Smith  made  his  assault  upon  the  key  point 
of  the  rebel  defences,  and  after  a  heavy  slaughter  it 
was  carried.  Then  the  rebels  began  to  "roll  up" 
the  flank  back  upon  its  centre,  and  the  Fourth  Corps 
desired  to  aid  in  the  good  work.  Soon  as  the  Sec- 
ond Division  started,  Grose  moved,  keeping  the 
alignment,  and  close  upon  him  followed  Wood,  the 
line  striking  the  rebel  'parapet  at  an  angle.  Steed- 
man,  beyond  Wood,  continued  the  assault  with  mixed 
troops,  white  and  colored,  and  the  engagement  be- 
came general.  It  was  magnificent,  grand — if,  indeed, 
a  scene  of  war  can  be  grand — grand  in  its  awfulness 
and  power  for  evil.  As  our  lines  neared  the  parapet, 
first  one  gun,  then  another,  then  more, /vomited  fire 
and  iron  hail.  From  west  to  east  the  parapet  grew 
white,  and  so  enfolded  it  in  a  bank  of  silver  smoke, 
that  the  guns  could  no  longer  be  seen  except  at  the 
moment  when  they  were  pouring  a  blaze  through  the 

cloud.     Yet  our  men  were  within  three  hundred 

* 

yards  of  what  may  be  termed  its  glacis ;  and  when 
one  is  that  close,  the  lightning,  the  thunder,  and  the 
bolt,  are  hardly  a  second  in  time  apart.  Death  loves 
havoc,  and  on  such  occasions  as  this  he  reaps  his  har- 
vest. Our  men  fell  rapidly ;  but  fortunately  the  ex- 
posure was  only  temporary,  for  the  advance  never 
ceased,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes,  the  works  were 
ours.  Then  ensued  a  scene  of  rout  such  as  is  seldom 
witnessed.  Most  of  the  enemy  in  Grose's  front,  as 
indeed  on  some  other  fronts,  were  captured.  Grose's 


198  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

men  claimed  three  guns  now  as  trophies.  The  rebel 
trenches  were  strewn  with  arms,  accoutrements,  camp 
equipage,  etc.,  and  officers  and  men  vied  with  each 
other  making  captures,  and  still  further  discomfiting 
the  foe.  Colonels  Bennett  and  Kilgore,  and  Major 
Watson — in  fact,  all  the  company  officers,  with  their 
men — sought  to  outstrip  each  other  in  the  chase. 
There  were  no  cowards  there ;  none  who  loved  safety 
more  than  honor.  And  among  the  heroic  actions 
displayed  on  this  day — and  they  were  numberless — 
was  the  capture  of  five  armed  rebel  soldiers  by  pri- 
vate Joseph  Watson,  of  Company  A,  and  of  another 
stalwart  Irishman,  who  was  in  the  act  of  firing,  by 
Patrick  Dailey,  of  Company  D.  It  was  here,  too, 
that  Lieutenant  Henry  Parrott,  of  Company  C,  aide- 
de-camp  to  General  Grose,  a  most  gallant  young  offi- 
cer, fell,  dangerously  wounded  in  the  hip. 

Grose  now  advanced  his  command  several  hundred 
yards  beyond  the  right  of  our  line  of  battle,  throw- 
ing his  skirmishers  into  Brentwood  Pass,  and  bivou- 
acked for  the  night. 

Early  on  the  lYth  pursuit  was  continued,  Grose  in 
advance  of  the  First  Division.  Our  forces  persist- 
ently pressed  the  enemy,  until  the  remainder — those 
not  killed,  wounded,  or  captured, ";had  crossed  the 
Tennessee  River,  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  south  of 
Nashville.  The  weather  was  villainously  bad,  the 
mud  very  deep,  and  the  marches  made  with  great 
labor  and  fatigue. 

In  brief,  Grose's  command  routed  the  rebels  from 
every  position  attacked,  captured  seven  pieces  of 


APPEOBATION   FEOM   HEADQTJAETEES.  199 

artillery,  a  large  number  of  small  arms,  twelve  cap- 
tains, twenty-three  lieutenants,  and  six  hundred  and 
six  enlisted  men.  The  loss  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
ILLINOIS  was  two  officers  wounded,  Lieutenants  Par- 
rott  and  Erwin,  and  enlisted  men  wounded,  privates 
Byron,  "Willilon,  Talcott,  Haley,  and  Whalen  —  a 
total  of  six.  It  is  wonderful  that  the  loss  was  so 
small,  considering  the  nature  of  the  assaults.  The 
loss  of  the  brigade  was  proportionately  as  small, 
there  being  but  four  killed  and  seventy-six  wounded. 
General  Grose  extended  his  "  grateful  thanks  to  his^ 
officers  and  men  for  their  willing  obedience  to  orders, 
their  brave  and  efficient  execution  of  every  duty,  on 
the  battle-field,  and  during  the  campaign."  The 
army  quietly  settled  in  its  new  camping  grounds. 
Major  General  Thomas  issued  the  following  congrat- 
ulatory order  to  his  army : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND, 

PULASKI,  Tenn.,  Dec.  29,  1864. 
General  Orders,  No.  169. 

SOLDIERS  : — The  Major-General  Commanding  announces  to 
you  that  the  rear  guard  of  the  flying  and  dispirited  enemy  was 
driven  across  the  Tennessee  River  on  the  night  of  the  27th  in- 
stant. The  impassable  state  of  the  roads,  and  consequent  im- 
possibility to  supply  the  army,  compels  a  closing  of  the  campaign 
for  the  present. 

Although  short,  it  has  been  brilliant  in  its  achievements,  and 
unsurpassed  in  its  results  by  any  other  of  this  war,  and  is  one  of 
which  all  who  participated  therein  may  be  justly  proud.  That 
veteran  rebel  army,  which,  though  driven  from  position  to  posi- 
tion, opposed  a  stubborn  resistance  to  much  superior  numbers 
during  the  whole  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  taking  advantage  of 
the  absence  of  the  largest  portion  of  the  army  which  had  been 


200  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

opposed  to  it  in  Georgia,  invaded  Tennessee,  buoyant  with  hope, 
expecting  Nashville,  Murfreesboro,  and  the  whole  of  Tennessee 
and  Kentucky,  to  fall  into  its  power  an  easy  prey,  and  scarcely 
fixing  a  limit  to  its  conquests,  after  having  received  the  most 
terrible  check  at  Franklin,  on  the  30th  of  November,  that  any 
army  has  received  during  this  war,  and  later,  met  with  a  signal 
repulse  from  the  brave  garrison  of  Murfreesboro,  in  its  attempt 
to  capture  that  place,  was  finally  attacked  at  Nashville,  and, 
although  your  forces  were  inferior  to  it  in  numbers,  it  was  hurled 
back  from  the  coveted  prize,  upon  which  it  had  only  been  per- 
mitted to  look  from  a  distance,  and  finally  sent  flying,  dismayed 
and  disordered,  whence  it  came,  impelled  by  the  instinct  of  self- 
preservation,  and  thinking  only  how  it  could  relieve  itself  for 
short  intervals  from  your  persistent  and  harrassing  pursuit,  by 
burning  the  bridges  over  the  swollen  streams  as  it  passed  them, 
until  finally  it  had  placed  the  broad  waters  of  the  Tennessee 
River  between  you  and  its  shattered,  diminished,  and  discomfited 
columns,  leaving  its  artillery  and  battle  flags  in  your  victorious 
hands,  lasting  trophies  of  your  noble  daring,  and  lasting  memen- 
toes of  the  enemy's  disgrace  and  defeat. 

You  have  diminished  the  forces  of  the  rebel  army,  since  it 
crossed  the  Tennessee  River  to  invade  the  State,  at  the  least 
estimate,  fifteen  thousand  men,  among  whom  were  killed, 
wounded,  or  captured,  eighteen  General  Officers. 

Your  captures  from  the  enemy,  as  far  as  reported,  amount  to 
sixty-eight  pieces  of  artillery,  ten  thousand  prisoners,  as  many 
stand  of  small  arms — several  thousand  of  which  have  been  gath- 
ered in,  and  the  remainder  strew  the  route  of  the  enemy's  re- 
treat— and  between  thirty  and  forty  flags,  besides  compelling 
him  to  destroy  much  ammunition,  and  abandon  many  wagons,  and 
unless  he  is  mad,  he  must  forever  relinquish  all  hope  of  bringing 
Tennessee  again  within  the  lines  of  the  accursed  rebellion. 

A  short  time  will  now  be  given  you  to  prepare  to  continue  the 
work  so  nobly  begun. 

By  command  of  Major  General  GEO.  H.  THOMAS  : 

WILLIAM  D.  WHIFFLE, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

MOVEMENT    TO    EAST    TENNESSEE — EETUEN    TO    NASH- 
VILLE   MUSTEK  OUT CLOSING    EPISODES FINAL 

PAYMENT  AND  FAEEWELL. 

THE  pursuit  of  Hood's  broken  and  demoralized  col- 
umns having  ceased,  the  army  settled  into  the  quiet 
of  camp  life,  stretched  along  from  Chattanooga  to 
Florence.  The  First  Division  encamped  at  Hunts- 
vine  on  the  5th  of  January,  1866,  and  remained  there 
until  the  13th  of  March.  While  here,  another  change 
occurred  in  the  command  of  the  Pioneers.  Sergeant 
Houck  having  been  promoted  to  Orderly  Sergeant 
of  Company  E,  was  relieved,  and  Lieutenant  Joseph 
Dexter,  of  the  same  company,  was  placed  in  com- 
mand, with  non-commissioned  officers  Sergeant 
George  G.  Messer,  and  Corporal  Samuel  Snyder. 
These,  too,  fulfilled  their  duty,  and  merit  mention. 
Meantime,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  rebel  army, 
reorganized,  and  under  the  command  of  Dick  Taylor, 
had  moved  easterly  through  Alabama  and  Georgia, 
hoping  to  pass  through  East  Tennessee,  and  thence 
into  Virginia,  to  reinforce  Lee's  army,  who*  was  now 


202  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

struggling  in  death  throes  with  the  indomitable  and 
never  yielding  Grant.  The  Fourth  Corps  was 
rapidly  transported  to  Knoxville  by  cars,  and  on  the 
17th  instant  reached  Strawberry  Plains,  memorable 
for  the  defeat  of  Longstreet's  Corps  by  Burnside  in 
December,  1863.  The  First  Division,  on  the  25th 
of  March,  moved  to  Mossy  Creek,  then  to  Bull's  Gap, 
and  five  miles  beyond.  The  army  was  now  so  dis- 
posed as  to  prevent  the  rebel  forces  from  entering 
into  the  long  mountain  defiles  through  which  alone 
Virginia  could  be  reached;  and  here  it  remained 
until  about  the  middle  of  April.  It  was  on  the  18th 
instant  that  the  First  Division  started  for  Nashville, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  24th.  The  grand  drama  of 
war  had  ended.  Lee  had  surrendered  to  Grant, 
Johnston  to  Sherman,  and  Taylor  to  Canby.  There 
was  now  no  armed  force  against  the  Union,  save  in 
Texas,  where  a  force  of  some  20,000,  under  Kirby 
Smith,  still  renounced  the  terms  of  capitulation.  But 
the  Government  made  active  preparations  to  meet 
this  refractory  force,  by  sending  a  large  corps  to  New 
Orleans,  to  prepare  for  an  active  campaign  against 
him.  With  this  view,  the  Fourth  Army  Corps  was 
recalled  to  Nashville.  And  here  it  lay,  awaiting 
developments,  expecting  each  day  to  be  ordered  to 
Texas.  Finally,  the  order  came  for  the  payment  of 
the  veteran  troops,  and  the  muster  out  of  all  the 
three  years'  regiments  and  detachments  whose  term 
of  service  would  expire  by  the  1st  of  September  ensu- 
ing. This  order  included  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLI- 


,  OVATION   TO   GKENEKAL   GEOSE.  203 

NOIS,  save  about  eighty  men — recruits.  These  men 
— hard  seemed  their  fate — were  organized  into  a 
company,  and  placed  as  guard  to  Corps  headquar- 
ters, General  Stanley's,  to  share  the  fortunes  of  the 
veterans,  be  it  good  or  ill.  On  the  10th  of  June, 
Colonel  Bennett,  now  Brigadier-General  by  brevet — 
a  reward  for  his  gallantry  in  action,  and  soldierly 
conduct — received  the  welcome  order  to  prepare  their 
muster  out  rolls.  The  intelligence  was  received  with 
a  wild  clamor  of  cheers,  and  the  old  forest  in  which 
they  were  encamped  echoed  them  back  wildly.  Soon 
the  Eightieth  and  Eighty-fourth  Illinois,  and  the 
Eighty-fourth  Indiana,  received  similar  orders,  and 
the  brigade  was  ablaze  with  joyful  glee. 

The  work  rapidly  progressed,  and  was  soon  con- 
summated; and  on  the  13th  day  of  June  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS  was  en  route  for  Chicago,  there 
to  be  paid  off,  doff  the  soldier's  blue,  and  don  the 
toga  of  a  citizen.  And  who  could  be  more  entitled 
to  the  rights  of  American  citizenship,  than  those 
brave  men,  who  for  two  years  and  nine  months  had 
risked  their  lives  in  their  country's  defence. 

While  lying  at  Nashville,  several  episodes  occurred 
worthy  of  mention.  On  the  25th  of  May,  General 
Grose,  who  had  been  absent  at  home  for  some  time 
(there  being  no  necessity  for  his  presence  in  the 
field),  returned  and  resumed  command.  Every  sol- 
dier's heart  was  glad,  for  he  had  become  endeared  to 
them  as  few  officers  do,  and  they  resolved  to  give 
him  a  glorious  welcome.  A  torch-light  procession 


204  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

4 

was  improvised,  by  mounting  candles  in  the  sockets 
of  their  bayonets,  and  at  8  p.  m.,  they  marched  to 
the  General's  headquarters.  The  blaze  and  flicker 
of  thousands  of  torches,  as  the  men  moved  through 
the  timber,  presented  a  pleasing  scene.  And  the 
joyous  acclaim  which  rang  out  on  the  evening  air, 
proved  that  the  demonstration  was  spontaneous,  and 
from  the  heart — a  tribute  to  their  gallant  com- 
mander. And,  indeed,  it  was  fitting  that  hearts  thus 
united  in  defence  of  a  common  cause,  should,  now 
that  the  strife  was  ended,  and  the  great  victory  won, 
unite  in  the  expression  of  mutual  confidence  and 
love.  When  considering  the  progress  of  events  for 
the  past  four  years,  and  more  especially  for  the  last 
year  and  a  half — the  great  marches  made,  the  san- 
guinary contests  waged,  the  presence  of  the  living, 
and  the  memories  of  the  fallen  brave — the  scene  was 
touching,  and  could  not  fail  to  swell  with  emotion, 
akin  to  commingled  joy  and  grief,  the  heart  of  every 
patriot  soldier  or  citizen  who  witnessed  it.  The 
band  first  discoursed  a  few  stirring  airs,  and  the 
general  presented  himself.  After  the  enthusiastic 
cheers  which  greeted  him.  had  subsided,  he  proceeded 
to  make  a  speech,  earnest,  feeling,  and  common- 
sense. 

He  thanked  them  for  the  welcome  they  had  ex- 
tended him ;  reviewed  briefly  the  struggles  through 
which  they  had  passed ;  the  progress  of  humanity 
and  civilization  which  the  war  had  engendered ;  the 
triumph  of  our  cause,  of  liberty  and  a  constitutional 


NOBLE   SENTIMENTS   OF   GENEEAL   GEOSE.        205 

Government ;  and  referred  with  emphasis  to  the  fact, 
that  now  our  land  was  free  in  reality  as  in  name,  and 
that  the  humblest  citizen  could  now  utter  his  senti- 
ments in  favor  of  human  rights  and  democratic  doc- 
trines every  where  within  our  borders.  He  then 
spoke  glowingly  of  the  feelings  of  the  northern  peo- 
ple in  regard  to  her  patriot  men  in  the  field,  and  said 
they  would  be  hailed  gladly  by  the  great  northern 
heart  when  they  should  return  home.  He  gave 
them  sound  advice  as  to  the  manner  in  which  they 
should  conduct  themselves  upon  resuming  the  peace- 
ful avocations  of  life,  remarking,  feelingly :  "  Oh ! 
never  let  it  be  said  that  one  of  my  comrades  in  arms, 
who  for  four  long  years  has  risked  his  life  in  his 
country's  defence,  and  then  battle-stained  and  battle- 
worn,  triumphantly  returns  home,  and  disgraces  him- 
self by  violating  the  laws  of  the  land  he  has  fought 
to  maintain,  or  so  conduct  himself  as  to  tarnish  the 
bright  reputation  he  has  won."  Finally,  thanking 
his  true  and  tried  men  for  their  great  kindness 
toward  him  since  his  connection  with  them,  he  bade 
them  good  night. 

Never  did  a  brave  soldier,  a  tried  and  skillful  gen- 
eral, a  pure,  patriotic  man,  utter  sounder  sentiments, 
or  give  utterance  to  nobler  ideas,  than  did  General 
Grose  on  this  occasion.  There  was  no  effort  at  rhe- 
torical nourish,  but  the  plain  expression  of  manly 
duty,  and  the  practical  interests  of  life.  There  was 
not  one  unsatisfied  heart — not  one  but  who  went 
,  away  feeling  a  better  man,  and  proud  that  his  cause 
was  maintained  by  so  good  a  man. 


206  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

The  brigade  then  called  for  Brevet  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Bennett,  Colonel  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS, 
another  soldier  who  had  won  the  love  of  the  entire 
brigade.  Reluctantly  he  appeared  upon  the  stand. 
He  too,  made  a  stirring  speech,  replete  with  olden 
memories,  historical  allusions,  and  lofty  sentiment. 
The  attentiveness  which  was  given  him  proved  how 
great  the  effect  of  his  remarks,  which,  although 
purely  extempore,  exhibited  the  elegance  in  diction 
of  a  finished  orator.  Colonel  Suman,  of  the  Ninth 
Indiana,  being  called  for,  said  that  "  it  would  not  do 
for  him  to  discharge  pop-guns  after  the  firing  of  such 
heavy  guns.  It  was  all  he  could  do  to  keep  up  in 
the  field.  It  was  sufficient  for  him  to  attempt  to 
talk  to  plebeians  at  home,  not  to  such  veterans  as 
those  before  him.  Therefore,  as  it  was  ten  o'clock, 
he  would  propose  three  cheers  for  Generals  Grose 
and  Bennett,  and  a  return  home."  The  Colonel's 
remarks  were  applauded,  the  cheers  given  with  a 
will  which  showed  that  they  were  meant,  the  band 
played  "  The  Star-Spangled  Banner,"  and  each  regi- 
ment again  wended  its  way  to  camp,  rejoiced  at  the 
success  of  their  endeavor  to  please,  and  the  apprecia- 
tion it  had  met. 

And  somewhat  earlier  than  this  occurred  another 
scene,  equally  touching,  but  confined  to  the  regiment. 
This  was  the  sending  home  of  the  regimental  and 
national  flags — colors  which  had  been  carried  through 
the  war,  I  can  not  better  portray  the  feelings  of 
the  soldiers  of  the  regiment  than  by  giving,  in  full, 


PLACING   THE    COLOE8   IN   THE   AECHIVES.        207 

the  letter  of  General  Bennett,  given  to  the  Color 
Sergeants,  who  bore  the  colors,  and  addressed  to  His 
Excellency,  Governor  Oglesby. 

HEADQUARTERS  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS, 
CAMP  HARKER,  NASHVILLE,  TENN., 

May  6th,  1865. 

His  EZCELLENCY  KICHARD  J.  OGLESBY, 

Governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

HONORED  SIR  : — I  have  the  honor  to  present  you,  as  the  Chief 
Executive  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  by  ihe  hands  of  David  R.  Bry- 
son,  and  John  "W.  Weldon,  Color  Sergeants  of  this  regiment,  our 
Regimental  and  National  Colors,  to  be  placed  in  the  archives  of 
the  State. 

In  doing  so,  allow  me  to  say  that  these  colors  were  the  first 
ever  received  by  us  from  the  hands  of  the  Government,  and  have 
been  borne  the  most  of  the  time  by  these  brave  Sergeants. 
They  also  contain  upon  their  folds  the  record  of  the  many 
engagements  we  have  been  in  with  the  enemies  of  our  glorious 
Union,  with  the  exception  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  the  bat- 
tles of  Franklin  and  Nashville. 

Beneath  their  starry  folds,  many  of  our  brave  comrades  have 
fallen,  and  now  sleep  their  last  sleep  upon  the  field  of  their  glory. 
These  old  banners,  though  tattered  and  torn,  are  sacred  memen- 
toes of  the  past ;  and  in  parting  with  them,  we  do  so  with  sad- 
ness, mingled  with  pride  and  pleasure ;  with  sadness,  at  the 
thoughts  of  those  who  left  their  happy  homes  in  1862,  who  went 
nobly  forth  to  battle  for  their  country,  but  now  fill  honorable 
soldiers'  graves ;  with  pride  and  pleasure — that  we  can  send  to 
you,  and  the  State  of  Illinois,  who  sent  us  forth,  so  honorable  a 
record. 

And  now  that  the  Angel  of  Peace  is  about  to  spread  her  wings 
over  our  once  prosperous  country,  we  know  of  no  more  appropri- 
ate place  to  deposit  these  sacred  relics. 


208  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Hoping  that  we  may  all  soon  have  the  pleasure  of  returning 
to  our  quiet  homes  in  Illinois,  and  that  the  nation  may  learn  the 
art  of  war  no  more,  I  am, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant. 

JOHN  E.  BENNETT, 
Col.  Seventy-fifth  III.,  and  Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  U.  8.  V. 

Nor  was  this  all.  As  the  day  drew  near  when 
the  brigade  was  to  be  reorganized — the  veterans 
now  being  ordered  to  Texas — the  staff  officers  of 
General  Grose,  two  of  whom  were  from  the  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  ILLINOIS — Captain  Frank  Bingham,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Henry  Parrott — addressed  the  General  a  fare- 
well letter,  as  follows : 

CAMP  HARKER,  NEAR  NASHVILLE,  TENN.  ) 
HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIGADE  FIRST  DIVISION, 

FOURTH  ARMY  CORPS,  June  10th,  1865.      J 

BRIGADIER-GENERAL  WILLIAM  GROSE. 

DEAR  GENERAL: — The  storm-clo'uds  of  war  have  now  been 
rifted  by  the  calm  sunlight  of  peace,  and  the  hour  has  come  when 
we  must  separate.  You,  and  others  of  us,  who  have  been  hon- 
ored with  positions  as  your  staff  officers,  hail  with  pleasure  this 
gladsome  time,  as  we  are  enabled  to  return  again  to  the  duties 
of  civil  life.  Others  of  us  must  still  remain  for  a  season  ;  not  to 
breast  the  surges  of  a  stormy  warfare,  but  to  aid  our  misguided 
countrymen  in  restoring  order  out  of  chaos,  tranquillity  out  of 
anarchy.  This  accomplished,  we,  too,  who  remain,  trust  a  kind 
Providence  will  permit  us  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  our  labor  and 
our  sacrifice. 

In  parting  with  you,  General,  we  feel  that  we  lose  a  good 
friend,  a  true  counselor,  yea,  the  presence  of  an  earnest,  up- 
right, honest,  and  high-minded  man.  You  came  into  this  con- 


FAREWELL   ADDEESSES  209 

flict  of  war  against  treason,  determined  to  lend  your  helping 
hand  in  our  country's  defence,  and  most  bravely,  ably,  have  you 
performed  your  mission.  God  be  thanked  that  your  life  has 
been  spared  to  witness  the  glorious  consummation  of  your  high- 
est hopes — the  maintenance  of  our  liberties  and  our  nationality. 

It  is  with  pride  that,  in  the  future,  when  the  history  of  our 
struggles  shall  have  been  written,  we  can  read  of  the  battles  in 
which  you  have  borne  so  conspicuous  a  part ;  and  on  the  bright 
Roll  of  Honor  which  our  noble  Alma  Mater  shall  inscribe  for  the 
perpetuation  of  the  memories  of  her  heroes,  yours  will  be  far 
from  the  least  worthy,  in  generous  devotion  to  duty,  sacrifice  of 
self,  or  in  the  accomplishment  of  grand  results. 

We  have  endeavored  to  do  faithfully  our  humble  part  in  the 
positions  assigned  us.  We  trust  our  services  have  met  your 
approval.  Your  generous  confidence  is  all  we  ask,  and  in  the 
future,  as  in  the  past,  we  desire  to  have  your  sympathy  and 
friendship.  Twenty  battles  have  done  somewhat  to  cement  our 
attachment ;  and,  whether  as  soldiers  or  citizens,  their  dark  fore- 
front can  never  be  forgotten. 

General,  we  bid  you  farewell.     God  bless  you  and  yours,  spare 
you  to  a  good  old  age,  deal  gently  with  you,  make  you  an  honor 
and  an  example  to  our  young  men  at  home,  and  finally  accept 
you  to  a  life  eternal,  within  the  portals  of  never-ending  joy. 
Captain  FRANK  BINGHAM,  A.A.A.G. 

"        GRUBBS,  A.P.M. 

Lieutenant  HENRY  PARROTT,  A.A.D.C. 

Crowning  all,  and  paramount  to  all,  is  the  farewell 
address  of  General  Grose  to  his  comrades  in  arms. 


HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIG.,  FIRST  Div.,  FOURTH  A.  C.,  ) 
CAMP  HARKER,  TENN.,  June  6th,  1865.      j 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  THIRD  BRIGADE  : — The  object  for  which  we 
have  been  associated  together  having  been  accomplished,  we  are 
now  about  to  separate,  and  most  of  us  join  our  families  and 

14 


210  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

friends  at  Home,  while  some  of  us  continue  for  duty.  You  have 
acted  well  your  part,  faithfully  and  bravely,  in  the  great  strug- 
gle of  your  country,  for  the  maintenance  of  right  and  justice, 
over  wrong  and  oppression.  You  will  feel  better  that  you  have 
done  your  part  for  your  country  than  to  have  stood  an  idle  spec- 
tator. Since  we  are  compelled  to  separate,  I  feel  thankful  that 
I  leave  you  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  enviable  reputation,  a  repu- 
tation of  which  your  friends  can  boast,  and  you  feel  proud. 
Your  toils,  hardships,  and  perils  will  be  attended  with  the  per- 
petuation of  the  National  Government,  with  greater  power  and 
glory  than  ever  before. 

Treasure  up  for  our  fallen  comrades  a  kind  remembrance  as 
heroes  of  their  age,  in  a  great  and  good  cause.  Take  home,  and 
into  the  future  with  you,  the  heartfelt  gratitude  of  your  humble 
Commander,  for  his  lot  having  been  cast  with  such  gallant  sol- 
diers and  kind-hearted  gentlemen.  God  bless  and  take  care  of 
you.  Good-bye. 

WILLIAM  GROSE, 

Brigadier-  General  Volunteers. 


The  SEVENTY-FIFTH  arrived  at  Chicago  on  the 
17th  day  of  June,  and  was  paid  off  and  finally  dis- 
charged on  the  1st  day  of  July.  Then  came  the  last 
farewell  as  soldiers,  and  each  proceeded  to  his  home, 
where  they  were  welcomed  by  their  immediate  rela- 
tions, friends  and  neighbors. 

Thus  ends  the  history  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLI- 
NOIS. I  have  aimed  to  trace  its  career  truthfully, 
and  as  fully  as  the  material  gathered  would  permit. 
And  among  the  many  thousands  who  have  rallied  to 
the  defence  of  our  republican  institutions,  none  have 


ITS  HEEOISM  AND  DEVOTION.  211 

rendered  more  signal  service,  or  aided  in  the  achieve- 
ment of  more  enduring  victories,  than  those  patriotic 
men  comprising  the  regiment  whose  glorious  career 
is  herein  presented.  Fearlessly  they  went  forth  to 
battle  for  the  right.  Many,  alas !  fell  upon  fields 
deeply  crimsoned  with  human  gore ;  many,  too,  suf- 
fering most  intensely  from  wounds  and  disease,  have 
gone  to  that  "  bourne  whence  no  traveler  returns." 
Its  casualties  in  battle  have  not  been  so  heavy  as  in 
many  regiments,  yet  they  were  in  bloody  battles  and 
desperate  charges.  A  kind  Providence  seemed  to 
watch  over  them.  Still,  the  loss  is  great.  Sixty-four 
were  killed,  thirty-one  died  of  wounds,  and  ninety- 
one  of  disease.  Besides,  two  hundred  and  sixteen 
Were  discharged  on  account  of  disability ;  and  the 
total  of  wounded  men  during  its  term  of  service 
numbers  one  hundred  and  eighty-four,  making  a 
grand  total  of  casualties  of  all  kinds,  of  five  hundred 
and  eighty-six,  or  66.94  per  cent. 

Such  heroism  and  such  devotion  is  its  grandest 
monument  of  glory.  In  their  loss,  the  hopes  and 
joys — all  that  is  most  dear  to  thousands  of  immortal 
beings,  were  crushed  ;  but' their  deepest  pangs  of  pain 
are  merged  into  the  glorious  realization  of  national 
triumph,  and  the  unity  of  the  republic — a  temple  of 
Liberty  grander  far  than  Ephesian  dome ;  and  the 
nation,  whom  we  love,  and  whose  great  heart  pul- 
sates with  paternal  interest  in  the  weal  or  woe  of 
each  patriot  son,  will  inscribe  their  names  in  the 
grand  Roll  of  Honor,  which  shall  be  cherished  as  one 


212  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

of  the  most  sacred  jewels  in  the  casket  of  her  fame. 

Yes, 

"  Enough  of  merit  has  each  honored  name 
To  shine  untarnished  on  the  rolls  of  fame ; 
To  stand  the  example  of  each  distant  age, 
And  add  new  lustre  to  the  historic  page ; 
For  soon  their  deeds  illustrious  shall  be  shown 
In  breathing  bronze,  or  animated  stone  ; 
Or  where  the  canvas,  starting  into  life, 
Revives  the  glories  of  the  crimson  strife." 

And  for  the  no  less  honored  living — heroes  amid 
trumpet  pealing,  joyous  cannon,  foeman's  sabre,  and 
leaden  death-shots,  rattling  fast — 

"  Let  the  bugle  swell  the  note  of  triumph ! 

Sound,  trumpets!  praise  our  bravest  and  our  best! 
Thousands  of  voices  bid  each  hero  welcome ; 
Rest  1  soldier,  rest !" 


THE    END. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES 


OF    THE 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS. 


BREVET  BRIGADIER- GENERAL  AND  COLONEL  JOHN  B.  BENNETT 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Bethany,'  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.  At 
the  age  of  thirteen  he  was  sent  to  the  Genesee  Wesleyan  Sem- 
inary, where  he  remained  for  three  terms.  When  sixteen,  he 
taught  school.  His  father's  health  failing,  he  managed  his  busi- 
ness until  twenty-one,  displaying  excellent  mercantile  qualifica- 
tions for  one  so  young.  In  1854  he  entered  the  employ  of  C.  J. 
Baldwin,  a  merchant  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  as  cashier  and  book- 
keeper. Towards  the  close  of  1855,  wishing  to  engage  in  busi- 
ness for  himself,  he  made  a  tour  westward.  Through  the  influ- 
ence of  W.  H.  Van  Epps,  Esq.,  of  Dixon,  Illinois,  he  settled  in 
the  neighboring  town  of  Morrison,  as  a  merchant,  and  proprietor 
of  the  "  Bennett  House."  "While  engaged  in  business  there,  he 
made  several  trips  across  the  plains  to  the  Pacific  coast.  He 
was  always  somewhat  of  a  politician,  participating  actively  in  all 
local  matters.  He  was  ever  a  staunch  Democrat  of  the  Jeffer- 
son, Jackson,  and  Douglas  school.  He  entertained,  with  the 
leaders  of  that  party,  their  particular  sensitiveness  concerning 
the  slavery  question ;  but  the  developments  of  the  character  of 
that  institution,  made  during  the  progress  of  the  war,  materially 
changed  the  complexion  of  his  views,  and  he  saw,  as  every  other 
patriot  did,  that  the  national  safety  depended  upon  its  destruc- 
tion, and  he  lent  efficient  aid  towards  its  consummation.  He 
was  among  the  first  to  enter  warmly  into  the  national  cause,  and 
aided  in  sending  troops  to  the  war.  In  the  summer  of  1862, 
when  the  call  was  made  for  "  600,000  more,"  he  applied  to  the 
Adjutant-General  of  the  State  for  permission  to  recruit  a  com- 
pany. On  the  29th  of  July  it  was  granted,  and  on  the  5th  of 
August  he  had  enlisted  118  men.  He  was  elected  Captain  unan- 


214  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

imouslj,  repaired  with  his  company  to  Dixon,  and  on  the  organ- 
ization of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  was  elected  its  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel. When  Colonel  Ryon  resigned,  he  was  promoted 
Colonel,  and  as  such  served  with  great  gallantry  through  the 
war.  Near  its  close  he  was  brevetted  General.  He  was  in 
every  battle  in  which  the  regiment  was  engaged,  save  that  of  the 
4th  of  July,  1864.  Then  he  was  back  for  three  days  in  hospital, 
the  only  time  he  was  ever  compelled  to  leave  the  command.  He 
was  frequently  in  command  of  a  brigade,  which  he  handled  with 
great  skill,  showing  perfect  competency  for  the  position  of  a  full 
Brigadier.  And  it  is  a  pity  that  one  so  competent  as  he,  should 
not  have  graced  a  "  star,"  long  ago,  instead  of  the  many  who  dis- 
graced it. 

General  Bennett  is  tall,  and  rather  commanding  in  person,  of 
strong  constitution  and  an  active  mind.  Quick  to  comprehend, 
and  prompt  to  execute  ;  like  the  lamented  General  E.  N.  Kirk, 
he  seemed  born  for  a  soldier.  He  was  a  strict  disciplinarian, 
firm  in  his  administration,  yet  ever  kind  and  just.  Like  all  truly 
good  officers,  he  was  at  first  disliked  by  many  of  his  men  ;  but  at 
last  he  conquered  all  prejudices,  and  became  highly  popular. 
And  what  must  ever  be  pleasing  to  him,  he  retired  from  the  war 
with  the  kindest  regards  of  every  soldier  in  his  command.  Dur- 
ing the  present  summer  he  has  accepted  a  lieutenancy  in  the 
Regular  Army.  The  country  has  gained  thereby  the  services  of 
a  valuable  soldier. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL,  BREVET  COLONEL,  AND  BBEVET  BRIGA- 
DIER-GENERAL WILLIAM  MATHERS  KILGOUR  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland County,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  still  a  youth  when,  in 
1836,  his  parents  removed  to  Whiteside  County,  Illinois.  For 
a  time  after  his  arrival,  he  carried  the  mail,  on  horseback,  from 
Rock  River  to  Fulton,  on  the  Mississippi,  a  distance  of  some 
forty  miles. 

He  is  emphatically  a  self-educated  man.  He  read  law  at 
Sterling,  Illinois,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1855,  having 
license  as  Attorney  at  Law,  Solicitor  in  Chancery,  and  Proctor 
in  Admiralty,  in  the  State  Courts,  and  in  the  District  and  Cir* 
cuit  Courts  for  the  Northern  District  of  Illinois. 

Like  Colonel  Bennett,  he  is  something  of  a  politician,  but  of 
an  opposite  party — the  old  Whig — and  he  makes  it  his  boast 
that,  he  never  voted  a  Democratic  ticket  in  his  life.  He  was  a 
representative  from  his  county  in  the  mass  convention  held  at 
Bloomington,  which  organized  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois, 
and  nominated  Colonel  Bissell  for  Governor.  And  when,  in 
1861,  Abraham  Lincoln,  duly  elected  President  of  the  United 
States,  proceeded  to  Washington  to  take  his  seat,  he  was  one  of 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  215 

about  eight  hundred,  who,  of  their  own  accord,  went  to  that  city, 
to  see  that  no  harm  happened  him,  as  assassination  had  been 
threatened.  Immediately  after,  the  war  bugles  roused  the  nation 
to  arms,  and  Kilgour  was  among  the  very  first  to  respond,  vol- 
unteering as  a  private  in  Company  B,  Thirteenth  Illinois  Infan- 
try. Upon  its  organization  he  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  served  with  that  regiment  for  a  year  in  Missouri,  participat- 
ing in  the  affairs  of  Wet  Glaze,  Lynn  Creek,  Springfield,  and 
Salem.  While  here,  he  served  as  Judge  Advocate,  hearing 
many  important  causes. 

In  the  early  summer  of  1862,  he  was  taken  sick  with  camp 
fever,  and  resigned.  But  his  respite  from  army  service  was 
short,  for  he  had  hardly  recovered  from  his  illness,  ere  another 
call  was  made  for  troops,  and  again  he  volunteered.  He  was 
commissioned  as  Captain  of  Company  I,  and  upon  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  regiment,  was  made  a  Major.  Scarcely  in  the  ser- 
vice, he  encountered  the  ordeal  of  Perryville,  where  he  was  sup- 
posed to  be  mortally  wounded,  but  a  tough  constitution  enabled 
him  to  withstand  the  blow,  and  in  August,  1863,  he  rejoined  the 
command.  His  services  through  the  war  have  been  fully  de- 
scribed in  the  preceding  pages.  Suffice  it  to  say,  he  was  in 
every  battle  fought  by  the  regiment,  from  the  time  he  rejoined 
it  until  its  muster-out,  save  that  of  Gulp's  Farm,  and,  during  a 
greater  part  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  he  was  in  command  of  the 
Eightieth  Illinois.  The  record  of  his  gallantry  is  that  of  nearly 
every  battle  fought  in  the  Department  of  the  Cumberland. 

Colonel  Kilgour  is  a  very  tall  man,  a  brave  and  kind-hearted 
soldier.  He  is  genial  yet  eccentric  in  his  manners.  He  is  lately 
married,  and  lives  upon  a  fine  homestead  in  Sterling,  Illinois, 
with  his  mother  and  sister.  He  keeps  open  house,  and  all  are 
welcome.  Of  a  highly  sociable  disposition,  he  enjoys  most  heart- 
ily a  good  story,  a  good  joke,  and  a  good  laugh.  He  was  ever 
the  friend  of  his  soldiers,  and  greatly  enjoyed  their  esteem.  He 
has  now  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  quietly  moves 
in  the  social  circles  of  life. 

MAJOK  AND  BREVET  LIEUTENANT- COLONEL  JAMES  A.  WATSON 
was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the  21st  of  April,  1815. 
He  was  a  farmer's  boy,  and  worked  at  home  until  eighteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  learned  the  carpenter's  and  joiner's  trade.  He 
then  went  to  Canada,  where  he  remained  for  six  years,  witness- 
ing many  important  scenes  in  the  Canadian  Rebellion.  While 
here,  he  contracted  for  and  built  many  of  the  bridges  across  the 
Welland  Canal.  Leaving  Canada  in  1838,  he  proceeded  to  Mich- 
igan, and  worked  at  his  trade.  In  1843,  he  removed  to  Illinois, 
and  for  three  years  was  engaged  in  constructing  bridges  on  the 


216  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

Illinois  and  Michigan  canal.  Afterwards,  he  secured  the  first 
contract  for  bridging  on  the  old  Galena  road,  when  that  was 
building.  This  completed,  he  entered  into  a  contract  with  the 
Illinois  Central  Road,  for  eight  miles  of  grading,  running  south 
from  Dixon,  on  Rock  River.  When  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS 
was  raised,  he  recruited  Company  A,  and  was  commissioned  Cap- 
tain. When  Kilgour  was  promoted  Lieutenant-Colonel,  he  suc- 
ceeded him  as  Major.  He  was  ever  active,  and  ready  for  duty — 
brave  as  a  lion,  scorning  danger.  At  Smyrna  Camp  Ground — 
or  Gulp's  Farm,  as  it  is  called  by  some — he  commanded  the  regi- 
ment, and  won  encomiums  of  praise  for  his  skill  and  bravery. 
He  built  several  bridges  during  the  campaigns  of  the  army,  men- 
tion of  which  is  made  in  the  preceding  pages. 

Major  Watson  is  no  scholar,  but  a  thoroughly  practical  man. 
He  is  rough  and  open-spoken,  never  mincing  his  words,  but  talks 
directly  and  plainly.  He  is  nothing  of  a  tactician,  but  an  earnest, 
go-ahead  fighter.  If  a  duty  was  to  be  performed,  no  matter  how 
dangerous,  he  sought  to  accomplish  it.  He  was  liked  much  by 
the  soldiers,  was  always  one  with  them,  and  put  his  own  hand  to 
any  work  with  which  he  had  to  do.  The  boys  of  the  old  Third 
Brigade  will  never  forget  him. 

MAJOR  GEORGE  W.  PHILLIPS  was  born  in  the  township  of  Adams, 
Berkshire  County,  Mass.,  on  the  5th  of  November,  1821. 

His  ancestors  are  of  English  stock,  and  settled  in  Rhode 
Island.  His  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution. His  parents  removed  to  Illinois  in  1841,  when  George 
was  twenty  years  of  age.  HP  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  G.  W. 
Richards,  of  St.  Charles,  Illinois,  an  able  and  accomplished  phys- 
ician and  surgeon,  and  Professor  of  Theory  and  Practice  in  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  La  Porte  University,  Indiana,  at 
which  institution  Phillips  graduated  in  the  class  of  1846-7. 

He  settled  in  practice  in  Wisconsin,  but  in  1850  went  to  Cali- 
fornia to  seek  a  better  field  for  a  fortune.  In  1854  he  returned, 
and  settled  in  Dixon,  Illinois,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In 
1859  he  received  the  prize  offered  by  the  Illinois  State  Medical 
Society,  for  the  best  Essay,  subject  to  be  chosen  by  the  writer. 
The  Essay  submitted  was,  "  On  the  Effect  of  Climate  on  Tuber- 
culous Disease." 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  he  was 
commissioned  surgeon,  dating  the  18th  of  September,  1862.  At 
Perryville  he  was  appointed  Brigade  Surgeon,  which  position  he 
held  until  his  resignation,  for  physical  disability,  on  the  10th  of 
May,  1863.  Major-General  Jeff.  C.  Davis  indorsed  upon  his 
resignation  papers  a  flattering  testimonial  to  his  worth  as  a  med- 
ical officer.  At  Perryville  and  Stone  River  he  was  selected  by 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  217 

the  Medical  Director  to  perform  the  operations  in  one  of  the  field 
hospitals. 

When,  in  1864,  the  call  was  made  for  One  Hundred  Day 
troops,  he  re-entered  the  service  as  Surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fortieth  Illinois.  Arriving  at  Memphis,  he  was  again 
appointed  Brigade  Surgeon,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Memphis 
on  the  21st  of  August,  1864,  when  Forrest  made  his  famous  dash 
into  that  city.  Here  he  lost  a  favorite  horse,  one  which  had 
accompanied  him  previously.  His  regiment  was  mustered  out 
of  service  on  the  29th  of  October,  1864,  when  he  resumed  his 
practice  in  Dixon. 

Dr.  Phillips  is  a  very  able  physician,  and  a  fine  surgeon.  He 
is  a  thoroughly  conscientious  man,  and  as  an  officer,  did  his  duty 
faithfully  and  impartially.  His  skill  saved  many  an  arm  and 
limb ;  and  many  a  soldier  holds  him  in  grateful  remembrance. 
Few  surgeons  acquired  a  more  brilliant  reputation  for  ability  and 
faithfulness  than  he. 

I  can  not  but  mention,  in  this  connection,  the  services  ren- 
dered by  Dr.  Abbott,  of  Dixon,  Illinois,  Surgeon  of  the  Eightieth 
Illinois,  who,  during  the  summer  of  1863 — his  own  regiment  hav- 
ing been  captured  in  Streight's  raid  into  Georgia — served  as  Sur- 
geon of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  working  zealously  and  well. 
He,  too,  is  distinguished  for  his  surgical  knowledge  ;  and  at  Mis- 
sionary Ridge  performed  some  "wonderful  experiments.  He  is  an 
ornament  to  the  profession. 

JOHN  C.  CORBUS,  of  Brooklyn,  Lee  County,  came  out  as  First 
Assistant  Surgeon,  appointed  September  2d,  1862;  resigned 
from  ill  health,  June  19,  1863.  While  on  duty  at  a  hospital  on 
the  Stone  River  battle  field,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  was  re- 
leased after  a  few  days. 

HENRY  UTLEY,  of  Como,  Whiteside  County,  came  out  with  the 
regiment  as  Second  Assistant  Surgeon,  appointed  September  18, 
1862.  Immediately  after  the  Perryville  battle,  he  was  put  in 
charge  of  wounded  who  could  not  be  removed  from  that  vicinity, 
and  was  kept  there  until  he  resigned,  December  10,  1862,  for 
physical  disability. 

CHESSELDEN  FISHER,  of  Freeport,  Lee  County,  was  Assistant 
Surgeon  in  the  Seventy-fourth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry ;  was 
appointed  Surgeon  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH,  August  1,  1863.  He 
resigned  Nov.  22,  1864. 

OCTAVE  P.  F.  RAVENOT,  a  native  of  Paris, France,  and  a  resident 
of  Chicago,  Cook  County,  was  appointed  First  Assistant  Sur- 


218  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

geon,  November  14,  1863,  and  promoted  to  Surgeon  of  the  SEV- 
ENTY-FIFTH ILLINOIS,  in  place  of  Chesselden  Fisher,  February 
23,  1865.  On  ?the  25th  of  February,  1864,  he  was  sent  to  look 
after  a  soldier,  who  was  wounded  the  previous  day,  and  who  was 
necessarily  left  on  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops  from  Buzzard's 
Roost  during  the  night  of  the  25th.  On  his  return  to  camp  near 
Ringgold,  he  fell  in  with  Wheeler's  cavalry  forces,  by  whom  he 
was  taken  prisoner,  and  was  sent  to  different  Southern  prisons — 
Dalton,  Atlanta,  Andersonville,  Macon,  Savannah,  and  Rich- 
mond, and  returned  to  the  regiment,  September  13,  1864,  at 
Atlanta.  Except  the  time  passed  in  his  captivity,  he  has  been 
with  the  regiment — close  with  it — :in  the  different  battles  and 
engagements. 

WILLIAM  F.  COBBUS,  of  Brooklyn,  Lee  County,  came  out  as  Hos- 
pital Steward  with  the  regiment,  and  was  faithfully  on  duty 
during  the  entire  term  of  service,  except  a  brief  interval  from 
sickness,  at  Nashville,  in  1864. 

ORLANDO  L.  FRENCH  was  born  on  the  8th  of  June,  1829,  in 
Bridgewater,  Vermont.  He  learned  the  cabinet  maker's  trade, 
and  worked  at  it  for  several  years  in  the  East.  In  1851  he  re- 
moved to  Dixon,  Illinois.  He  subsequently  went  to  Minnesota, 
but  returned  to  Illinois  in  1854.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  and  was  appointed  Quartermaster  Ser- 
geant. On  the  3rd  of  May,  1863,  he  was  commissioned  Adju- 
tant. He  made  a  brave  and  efficient  officer,  and  served  with 
credit  in  every  battle  fought  by  the  regiment,  save  that  of  Per- 
ry ville. 

JOHN  REMINGTON  is  a  resident  of  Dixon,  Illinois.  He  was  com- 
missioned regimental  Quartermaster,  and  in  the  winter  of  1862,  or 
spring  of  1863,  he  was  appointed  Division  Quartermaster,  on  the 
Staff  of  Major-General  Jeff.  C.  Davis,  and  afterwards  was  com- 
missioned Captain  and  A.  Q.  M.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  was 
commissioned  Quartermaster  of  Volunteers,  with  the.  rank  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel.  In  January,  1865,  he  resigned  and  returned 
to  his  home.  He  was  an  efficient  officer,  active  and  energetic, 
and  much  of  the  time  was  entrusted  with  Government  property 
amounting  to  millions  of  dollars. 

JAMES  REED  is  also  from  Dixon,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
Company  A.  He  was  soon  after  detailed  as  Quartermaster's 
clerk  ;  and  subsequent  to  Remington  being  commissioned  as  Cap- 
tain, he  was  made  regimental  Quartermaster.  He  was  a  pru- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  219 

dent  careful  officer,  closely  attentive  to  his  business,  and  contin- 
ued in  the  position  to  the  end. 

EZEKIEL  GILES  is  a  shoe-maker,  in  Dixon,  Illinois.  He  was 
originally  a  Lieutenant,  but  on  the  20th  of  December,  1862,  was 
promoted  Captain,  vice  Watson,  Major.  He  resigned  on  the.  2  3rd 
of  May,  1863. 

WILLIAM  PARKER  is  a  printer  by  trade,  and  for  many  years  has 
had  charge  of  printing  establishments.  When  enlisting  Com- 
pany A,  he  was  connected  with  the  Dixon  "  Republican  and  Tel- 
egraph." He  was  ever  brave,  and  one  of  the  free  and  easy  offi- 
cers of  the  regiment.  He  was  an  excellent  soldier,  companion- 
able, and  at  all  times  ready  for  adventure. 

FREDERICK  0.  HEADLEY  is  a  shoe-maker  by  trade,  and  resided 
in  Dixpn,  Illinois.  He  entered  the  service  as  Orderly  Sergeant, 
but  on  the  20th  of  December,  1863,  was  promoted  a  Lieutenant. 
He  was  on  detached  duty  for  some  time  ;  but  mustered  out  with 
the  regiment. 

GEORGE  W.  PUTNAM  is  a  farmer's  son,  and  resides  near  Dixon. 
He  enlisted  as  a  Corporal  in  Company  A,  but  finally  reached  the 
rank  of  Orderly  Sergeant. '  He  was  a  most  faithful  soldier,  and 
I  feel  it  proper,  and  but  justice,  to  mention  him  in  this  connec- 
tion. He  well  merited,  although  he  never  received,  a  commission. 
True  and  tried,  firm  in  principle,  and  highly  moral,  he  was  a  fit 
example  for  the  imitation  of  those  who,  alas  !  became  recreant  to 
the  principles  of  their  manhood,  and  forgot  them  in  the  soldier. 

CAPTAIN  CHARLES  R.  RICHARDS  was  born  in  Lennox,  Madison 
County,  N.  Y.,  on  the  3rd  day  of  April,  1824.  When  fifteen 
years  of  age,  he  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  eleven  years, 
married,  and  was  a  mechanic  by  trade.  He  moved  to  Lyndon, 
Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1850.  Enlisted  in  Company  B,  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  ILLINOIS.  He  was  a  most  worthy  officer. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT  ELISHA  BULL  was  born  in  Erie  County,  N. 
Y.,  in  1828.  Lived  at  Lyndon,  Illinois,  when  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH 
was  organized.  Enlisted  in  1861,  in  the  Thirty-third  Illinois. 
Was  discharged  as  a  musician  of  that  regiment  under  orders  of 
the  War  Department,  mustering  out  regimental  bands.  Was  at 
home  but  one  week,  when  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  B,  SEVENTY- 
FIFTH  ILLINOIS.  After  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  he  was 
detailed  in  command  of  brigade  ambulance  train.  He^  was  a 
faithful  officer,*and  liked  much  by  the  men. 


220  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  EARNEST  ALTMAN,  a  German  by  birth,  was  a 
merchant  in  Morrison.  He  was  afterwards  promoted  to  Captain. 
He  was  wounded  at  Lancaster,  Ky.,  Oct.  14,  1862,  and  resigned 
Feb.  1,  1863.  This  wound  was  the  cause  of  his  resignation. 
He  was  an  upright  man,  and  showed  great  heroism  for  the  time 
he  was  in  the  service. 

GEORGE  TV.  SHAW  was  born  in  Rome,  N.  Y.,  on  the  12th  of 
December,  1835,  and  was  by  profession  a  civil  engineer.  Moved 
"West  in  1857,  and  settled  in  Prophetstown,  Whiteside  County, 
Illinois.  Became  a  druggist,  and  afterwards  County  Surveyor, 
which  position"  he  still  held  when  he  went  into  the  army.  He 
was  detached  on  the  17th  of  January,  1863,  by  order  of  Colonel  P. 
Sidney  Post,  as  Topographical  Engineer.  Upon  the  reorganiza- 
tion of  the  Corps,  Oct.  10,  1863,  he  was  returned  to  his  com- 
pany. He  was  detached  a  second  time,  Nov.  4th,  1863,  as  Topo- 
grophical  Engineer,  by  order  of  General  William  Grose.  Re- 
mained in  that  position  until  Oct.  27,  1864.  He  was  as  brave  as 
the  bravest.  .  . 

PRENTISS  S.  BANNISTER  is  the  son  of  an  honest,  intelligent 
farmer,  and  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.  Moved 
West,  and  settled  with  his  father's  family  at  Union  Grove, 
Whiteside  County,  Illinois.  He  was  promoted  from  a  Sergeant 
to  a  First  Lieutenant,  and  was  a  fine  officer. 

The  memoranda  for  the  sketches  of  Captain  Frank  Bingham, 
and  Lieutenant  Henry  Parrott,  of  Company  C,  are  mislaid. 

The  former  came  out  as  a  Sergeant,  and  won  his  promotion  by 
faithful  service.  He  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  Acting 
Assistant  Adjutant- General  on  the  Staff  of  General  William 
Grose.  Upon  the  muster-out  of  the  regiment,  he  was  relieved, 
and  General  Grose  addressed  him  the  following  letter : 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIG.,  FIRST  Div.,  FOURTH  A  C., ) 
NEAR  NASHVILLE,  TENN.,  June  11, 1865.     f 

Special  Orders,  No.  48. 

Captain  Frank  Bingham,  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General  of  this 
Brigade,  his  term  of  service  being  about  to  expire,  is  hereby  relieved. 

It  is  proper  to  notice  that  for  the  Captain's  long  and  efficient  service 
in  this  capacity,  he  deserves  well  of  his  country.  Brave,  competent,  and 
ever  ready  for  duty — gallant  comrade,  good-bye. 

WILLIAM  GROSE, 

To  Brigadier- General  Vols.,  Comtfng. 

CAPT.  FRANK  BINGHAM,        ) 
Seventy-fifth  Illinois  Vols.  J 


•  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES.  221 

The  latter  was  for  some  time  a  Sergeant,  but  was  promoted 
Second  Lieutenant  on  the  6th  of  May,  1863.  During  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  he  had  charge  of  the  brigade  ambulance  train,  and  dis- 
tinguished himself  for  his  daring  on  the  battle-field.  At  the  time 
of  the  Nashville  battle,  he  was  aid-de-camp  to  General  Grose, 
and  was  severely  wounded.  He  retained  this  position  until  mus- 
tered out.  He  was  fearless,  even  to  recklessness,  kind  hearted, 
genial,  and  companionable  ;  esteemed  by  all,  and  a  great  favorite 
with  all  his  regiment. 

A.  Me  MOORE  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Pa.,  in  1819, 
and  was  a  house  joiner  by  trade.  He  settled  in  Illinois  in  1837. 
Enrolled  for  service  July  28,  1862.  His  residence  is  Sterling, 
Illinois,  and  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  he  was  a  dry  goods 
merchant.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Stone  River,  Dec.  31st, 
1862,  and  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  the  military  prison  in 
Atlanta,  and  afterwards,  that  of  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  where 
he  remained  until  March  30th,  1863.  He  was  exchanged  May 
17th,  and  rejoined  the  command  June  8th,  1863.  He  was  a 
good  officer,  but  a  strict  disciplinarian ;  and  near  the  end  of  the 
war  was  brevetted  Major. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  JOSEPH  E.COBBEY  was  born  in  1824,  in  Miami 
County,  Ohio.  He  did  nothing  to  distinguish  himself,  and  the 
record  specifies  that  he  resigned  for  the  good  of  the  service. 

EDWARD  H.  BARBER  was  born  in  1827,  in  Vermont.  He  was 
engaged  in  farming  when  he  entered  the  service.  He  was 
wounded  at  Perryville,  and  resigned  in  consequence.  He  was  a, 
true  soldier. 

LIEUTENANT  F.  A.  CAUGHEY,  was  born  1839,  in  Lancaster 
County,  Pa.,  settled  in  Illinois  in  1859,  and  was  butchering  when 
he  entered  the  service.  Was  mustered,  September  2d,  as  Sergeant, 
promoted  successively  to  First  Sergeant,  Second  Lieutenant,  and 
First  Lieutenant,  and  was  for  some  time  A.  A.  Q.  M.,  Ord- 
nance train,  First  Division,  Fourth  Corps. 

LIEUTENANT  RICHARD  L.  MANGUM,  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
1820,  stone  mason  by  trade.  Mustered  in  Corporal,  promoted 
to  Sergeant,  then  to  First  Sergeant,  and  again  to  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, May  22nd,  1863.  Wounded  June  4th,  1864,  and  resigned 
January  4th,  1865. 

WILLIAM  S.  FROST  is  a  farmer  of  Lee  County,  Illinois,  and  by 
his  experience  in  California,  and  elsewhere,  was  well  calculated 


222  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

to  deal  with  men.  A  wound  at  Perrjville  disabled  him  tempo- 
rarily ;  and  another,  before  A.tlanta,  becoming  infected  with  gan- 
grene, rendered  him  unfit  for  the  field,  and  led  to  his  honorable 
discharge  on  the  23rd  of  January,  1865.  He  was  highly 
esteemed  in  the  command  for  bravery  and  faithfulness  in  duty. 

FRANKLIN  H.  EELS  is  a  harness  maker,  in  Sublette.  His  first 
encounter  with  the  enemy  cost  him  his  life.  A  rebel  bullet 
pierced  his  forehead,  while  bravely  doing  his  duty  at  Perryville, 
having  already  shown  strong  characteristics  for  a  good  officer. 

JAMES  H.  BLODGETT  is  a  teacher,  from  Amboy,  Illinois.  He 
was  temporarily  disabled  by  a  wound  at  Perryville,  and  was 
again  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  Stone  River.  Unable  to 
procure  leave  of  absence  at  times,  and  unwilling  to  leave  the 
command  at  certain  other  times,  favored  in  his  own  health  and 
that  of  his  family,  he  was  never  away  from  his  company  except 
by  wounds  and  imprisonment.  He  had  the  honor  of  leading  sev- 
eral skirmish  charges  on  the  enemy's  lines,  and  was  brilliantly 
successful.  He  looked  after  the  interests  of  his  men  with  care, 
and  was  an  officer  of  high  moral  character.  He  rose  from  a  Sec- 
ond Lieutenancy  to  a  Captaincy. 

JAMES  HILL,  Sergeant  in  Company  E,  is  a  shoemaker  from 
Lee  Centre.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Stone  River.  His  im- 
prisonment resulted  in  sickness,  and  he  was  discharged.  Mean- 
while, a  commission  was  received  for  him  at  the  regiment,  as 
Second  Lieutenant,  but  he  never  accepted  it. 

JAMES  DEXTER  entered  the  service  as  a  Sergeant,  and  was  suc- 
cessively promoted  to  a  Second  and  First  Lieutenancy.  He  is  a 
well-to-do  farmer  in  Sublette,  and  has  a  strongly  marked  charac- 
ter for  earnestness,  and  was  a  most  gallant  and  worthy  officer. 
He  ^received  a  wound  at  Perryville,  which  disabled  him  for 
months.  For  some  months  he  was  in  command  of  the  Pioneers. 
Truer  soldier  never  marched  to  the  field. 

JAMES  McCoRD  was  born  in  Nawtawnards,  in  the  County  Down, 
Ireland,  on  the  28th  of  January,  1820.  He  came  to  this  conti- 
nent in  1842,  and  settled  in  Canada  West.  He  moved  to  Wis- 
consin in  1845,  and  afterwards  to  Illinois.  He  is  a  carpenter 
and  joiner  by  trade,  and  enlisted  as  a  Sergeant  of  Company  F, 
SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS.  He  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant, 
and  finally  to  a  Captaincy ;  and  was  in  every  battle  and  skirmish 
in  which  the  regiment  was  engaged. 


BIOGKAPHICAL  SKETCHES.  223 

JAMES  D.  PLACE  was  born  in  Ackworth,  N.  H..  on  the  17th  of 
August,  1830.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1853.  He  is  a  railroad 
engineer  and  enlisted  as  a  Sergeant.  On  the  15th  of  August, 
1863,  he  was  commissioned  a  Second  Lieutenant ;  but  the  com- 
pany not  being  up  to  the  maximum  number  of  men  required,  he 
was  never  mustered.  He  was  a  good  soldier,  and  missed  no  en- 
gagement save  Nashville,  and  then  he  was  sick  in  hospital. 

CAPTAIN  JOSEPH  WILLIAMS  was  a  grain  merchant  of  Franklin 
Grove.  He  was  taken  sick  soon  after  entering  the  service,  and 
resigned  in  December,  1862. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT  DAVID  SANFORD,  afterwards  promoted  Cap- 
tain, was  a  teacher  in  Carthage,  Ogle  County.  Was  taken  sick 
from  the  exposures  after  the  Stone  River  battle,  and  resigned  in 
May,  1863. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT  ROBERT  L.  IRWIN  received  two  wounds 
from  buckshot,  and  one  from  a  minie  ball,  at  Perry ville — the  lat- 
ter quite  serious,  and  leading  to  his  resignation  in  April,  1863. 
Previous  to  this  he  had  been  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant, 
but  had  not  been  mustered  as  such.  After  his  return  home,  Dr. 
Brainard,  of  Chicago,  took  out  part  of  the  hip  bone,  and  his  situ- 
ation, for  two  months,  was  very  precarious.  His  health,  after 
this,  became  firm  again,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1863,  he  engaged 
in  recruiting  for  this  regiment.  In  February,  1864,  he  reported 
for  duty,  with  thirty-seven  recruits,  and  soon  after  was  commis- 
sioned Captain  of  Company  Gr.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec. 
16,  1864,  as  the  regiment  charged  the  rebel  rifle  pits,  he  was 
struck  down  by  a  musket  ball,  but  it  proved  a  severe  rather  than 
a  dangerous  wound,  and  caused  but  a  short  absence  from  duty. 
The  recruiting  done  by  Captain  Irwin  was  the  only  special  effort 
to  obtain  recruits  for  this  regiment.  He  was  a  most  competent 
and  worthy  officer,  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

SERGEANT  WILLIAM  VANCE,  promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  then  to 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  again  to  First  Lieutenant,  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  Company  most  of  the  time  from  April,  1863,  to  the 
muster  of  Robert  L.  Irwin  as  Captain.  He  was  sent  to  Chatta- 
nooga for  additional  transportation  soon  after  the  occupation  of 
Atlanta,  and  performed  the  duty  so  much  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  Quartermaster's  Department,  that  he  was'  permanently  de- 
tailed for  duty  with  the  trains  on  his  return,  and  remained  there 
ever  after. 

SAMUEL  BENDER,  successively  private,  Corporal,  and  Sergeant, 


224  THE   SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 

was  never  absent  from  his  command  for  a  single  night  in  the 
whole  term  of  service. 

JOHN  L.  NEWTON  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ohio.  At  twenty 
he  came  to  Illinois.  Enlisted  as  a  Corporal  in  Company  H,  and 
was  promoted,  during  the  war,  to  a  First  Lieutenancy.  He 
was  some  time  in  command  of  the  Pioneer  Company,  and  finally 
in  charge  of  the  Division  Ordnance  Train.  He  executed  his 
duties  promptly  and  well. 

EGBERT  HALL  was  a  resident  of  "Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  and 
upon  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the 
Twelfth  Illinois,  and  at  Fort  Donelson  was  badly  wounded,  a 
ball  entering  the  right  shoulder  and  lodging  just  above  the  right 
lung.  It  frequently  gave  him  trouble  afterwards.  He  came  out 
in  Company  I  as  a  First  Lieutenant,  but  upon  the  organization 
of  the  regiment,  was  commissioned  Captain,  Kilgore  being  pro- 
moted to  Major. 

His  career  is  so  thoroughly  portrayed  in  this  book,  that  it 
needs  no  comment  here.  .And  his  glorious  fall  at  Gulp's  Farm 
on  that  immortal  day,  the  4th  of  July,  1864,  crowns  him  as  a 
hero  ever  more. 

He  was  tall  and  commanding  in  appearance,  with  features 
depicting  nature's  true  nobleness.  He  was  kind  of  heart,  genial 
in  manners,  a  friend  to  all  who  deserved  well,  and  loved  by  all. 
He  possessed  no  education,  save  that  acquired  by  contact  with 
the  world;  but  in  that  was  eminently  sound  and  practical.  He 
was  as  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  drew  a  sword  in  our  country's 
defence,  and  his  whole  soul  was  in  our  cause.  His  death  was 
much  lamented  in  the  army,  and  at  home.  A  monument  worthy 
the  patriotism  of  Whiteside  County  should  be  erected  over  his 
grave,  and  her  citizens  will  prove  recreant  to  the  memory  due  an 
illustrious  martyr  in  their  cause,  if  they  fail  to  do  it. 

Lee  County  forgets  her  dead,  and  the  graves  of  the  noble 
Levanway  and  Stevens,  who  fell  in  the  forefront  of  battle  at 
Shiloh,  still  lie  unmarked  by  monumental  slab  or  shaft,  a 
burning  stigma  upon  its  citizens  and  his  friends. 

AMOS  B.  SEGUR  was  born  at  Rumford,  Oxford  Co.,  Maine,  on 
the  5th  of  March,  1820.  He  is  a  painter  by  trade,  and  enlisted 
in  Company  I  as  Sergeant.  On  the  22d  of  March,  1863,  he  was 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  and  upon  the  death  of  Captain 
Hale,  he  was  promoted  Captain.  He  is  an  unpretending  man, 
fully  up  to  his  duties,  and  ever  ready  to  perform  them. 

EZEKIEL  I.  KILGOUR  was  the  third  son  of  Colonel  E.  Kilgour, 
and  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Pennsylvania.  Moved 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES.  225 

with  his  father  to  "Whiteside  County,  Illinois,  in  1836.  He  was 
a  Republican  in  politics,  in  religion  an  Old  School  Presbyterian, 
and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  volunteered  as  a  private  in 
Company  I,  and  assisted  materially  in  raising  and  recruiting  it. 
He  was  appointed  Sergeant,  and  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant. 
Distinguished  himself  by  heroic  bravery  at  Perryville  ;  afterwards 
was  taken  sick,  caused  by  exposure  in  the  service,  and  died  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  Christmas  evening,  A.  D.  1862.  His  re- 
mains were  taken  to  his  home  at  Sterling,  Illinois.  He  entered 
hopeful  of  seeing  this  war  ended,  and  the  Union  restored";  but 
died  ere  the  great  iron  wheel  had  performed  a  single  revolution. 

LEWIS  E.  CHUBBTJCK  was  born  August  2d,  1838,  at  Royalton, 
Niagara  County,  N.Y.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  and  then  engaged  in  teaching  a  district  school. 
He  continued  to  teach  winters,  and  use  the  wages  to  attend 
school.  At  the  age  of  twenty  engaged  as  a  clerk  at  Medina, 
N.Y.,  with  a  dry  goods  merchant.  Not  being  suited  with  the 
business,  he  accepted  the  appointment  to  fill  a  vacancy  as  student 
at  the  State  Normal  School',  at  Albany,  N.Y.  Entered  the 
Sub-Senior  Class  ;  commenced  teaching  again  in  the  fall  of  1860, 
and  the  next  spring  went  to  Illinois.  Was  teaching  at  Erie 
wheu  he  enlisted  as  private  in  Captain  ~W.  M.  Kilgour's  com- 
pany. Was  at  once  detailed  as  clerk  at  Post  Headquarters,  and 
upon  the  organization  of  the  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS,  was  de- 
tailed as  clerk  at  Regimental  Headquarters.  On  August  20th, 

1863,  was  appointed  Sergeant-Major.     On  August  4th,   1864, 
received  commission  as  First  Lieutenant,  Company  I,  and  was  im- 
mediately detailed  as  Acting- Adjutant.     He  was  never  absent 
from  the  command  for  a  single  day,  unless  sent  on  duty.     He 
served  in  that   position   until    November   20th,   1864.     While 
Sergeant-Major   he   did   the  duty    of  Adjutant    without   help, 
during  Sherman's  campaign  from   Pine  Mountain,   June   Hth, 

1864,  to  Atlanta,  July  25th,  1864.     He  was  ever  diligent  and 
competent  for  any  trust. 

CAPTAIN  D.  M.  ROBERTS  was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  moved  to  Wyoming,  Illinois.  At  the  time  of  organ- 
izing Company  K,  he  was  a  farmer  and  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
He  was  wounded  at  Perryville  through  the  hips,  and  disabled 
for  further  field  duty.  Returning,  he  was  put  on  detached  duty, 
which  position  he  ever  after  held  in  various  departments. 

WILLIAM  H.  THOMPSON  was  born  in  Luzerne  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. At  the  time  of  enlistment  he  lived  in  Viola.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  was  wounded  at  Perryville.  Returned  to  duty,  and 

15 


226  THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH    ILLINOIS. 

finally  died  of  consumption.     The  regiment  lost  in  him  a  good 
man  and  soldier. 


ISAAC  L.  HUNT  was  born  in  China,  "Wyoming  County,  N.  Y. 
Moved  west  to  Pawpaw,  Illinois,  in  October,  1855.  Was  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  He  came  out  as.  Second  Lieutenant,  and 
was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant.  He  was  a  fine  officer,  one  of 
the  best  in  the  regiment,  and  was  so  considered  by  all.  He  did 
excellent  service. 


ORIGINAL    ORGANIZATION 

AND  SUBSEQUENT    CHANGES  IN  THH 

FIELD,  STAFF,  AND  NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF; 

ALSO— COMPANY  OFFICERS. 


FIELD    AND    STAFF    OFFICERS. 


DATE 
OF  MUSTER. 


REMARKS. 


George.  Ryan  .........  Colonel  ...... 

John  E.  Bennett'  ......  Lieut.  Col.  .  . 

Wm.  M.  Kilgour  ......  Major  ....... 

George  W.  Phillips.  .  .  .  Surgeon  ..... 

John  C.  Corbus   ......  Ass't  Surg... 

Henry  Utley  ..........  Ass't  Surg.  .  . 

Jerome  W.  Hollenbeck.  Adjutant  ____ 

John  Remington  ......  Reg.  Qr.  M'r. 

William  H.  Smith  .....  Chaplain  .... 
Chesselden  Fisher  .....  Surgeon  ..... 
Octave  P.  F.  Ravenot..  Ass't  Surg... 


Sep.  2,  1862.  Resgd.  Dec.  20,  1862. 

"  "    Prom.  Colonel,  Feb.  1,  1863  ;  Brev.  Brig. 

Gen.,  Aprils,  1865. 

"  "    Prom.  Lieut.  Col.,  Feb.  8.  1363. 

Sept.  18,  "    Resgd.  May  16,  1863. 
Sept.    2,  "  '      Jan.  19,  1863. 

Sept.  18,   "          "     Dec.  10,  1862. 
Sept.    2,  "          "      Dec.  19,  1862. 

"  "    Prom.  Capt.  and  A.   Q.  M.,   Nov.   24. 

1868  ;  Lt.  Col.  and  Q.  M.,  —  1864. 
Sept.  12,   "     Resgd.  March  5,  1864. 
Aug.  1,  1863.       "      Nov.  22,  1864. 
Nov.  14,    "    Prom.  Surgeon,  Feb.  23,  1865. 


NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

Silas  D.  Frost  ........  Sergt.  Major.  Sep.  2,  1862.  Prom.  Captain,  Aug.  19,  1863,  in  U.  S., 

Col.  Infantry. 
Orlando  L.  French....  Q.  M.  Sergt..     '  '     Prom.  Adjt.,  May  3,  1863. 

Wm.  Parkhurst  .......  Com.  Sergt..    '  "    Discharged. 

Wm.  F.  Corbus  .......  Hos.  Steward.     " 

Hezekiah  Stewart  .....  Fife  Major...     " 

COMPANY    A. 

James  A.  Watson  .....  Captain  .....  Sep.  2,  1862.  Prom.  Maj.,  Dec.  20,  1862. 

Ezekiel  Giles  .........  1st  Lieut  .....     "  "    Pi*m.  Capt.,  Dec.  20.  1862  :  Resgd.  May 

23,  '63. 
William  Parker  .......  2d  Lieut  .....    "  "    Prom.  1st  Lieut.,  Dec.  20,  1862  ;  Prom. 

Capt.,  June  19,  1863. 
Fredk.  C.  Headley....  1st  Sergt....    "  "    Prom.  2d  Lieut.,  Dec.   20,  1862;    1st 

Lieut.,  June  19,  1863. 
Alfred  K.Buckaloo....  Sergeant....    "  ««    Prom.  2d  Lieut.,  June  19,  1863;;   died 

March  17,  1864. 
HoraceJudson  ........  ....     '«  "    Reduced,  Oct.  26,  1862  ;  cause,  detailed 

as  saddler. 
Wm.  J.  Cogswell  ......        "         ....  "    Dischd.,  March  8,  1863. 

Joseph  A.  Hill  ........         "         ....  «'    Dischd.  May  28,  1868. 

John  Williamson  .....  Corporal  ----  "    Red.  at  his  own  request,  Oct.  26,  1862. 

Lewis  H.  Burkett  .....        "          ____  "     Prom,  to  Sgt.  ,  May  28,  1863. 

Edwin  J.  Jones  .......        "         ....  "    Deserted  Oct.  3,  1862. 

Isaac  E.  Barr  .........        "         ....  "     Reduced,  detailed  ;  prom.  !to  Sgt.,  Oct. 

28,  1862. 

George  W.  Putnam...        «'         ----  "    Prom,  to  1st  Sgt.,  June  19,  1863. 

Ezra  Cooper  ..........        "         ----  ««    Prom,  to  Sgt.,  May  1,  1803  ;  died/  Jan, 

12,1866. 

15 


226 


APPENDIX. 


DATE    OF 
COMMISSION   OR 
.APPOINTMENT. 


REMARKS. 


David  H.  Wagner Corporal  ....  Sep.  2, 1862.  Prom.  Sgt.,  May  1st,  1863. 

Anthony  Zimmer '"         ....     "  "     Reduced  at  his  own  request,  May  1, 1863. 

Adoniram  J.  Collins...        "         May  1,1863.  Prom.  Sgt.,  June  19,  1803;  commd.  2d 

Lt.  Col.  Kegt.,  Dec.  31,  1803. 

George  J.  Messer "         ....     "  "     Prom.  to. Sergt.,  July  1st  1864. 

Warren  A.  Howland  ..        "         "  "     Prom.  Sgt.,  Jan.  15, 1865. 

Fred.  A.  Clark "         " 

John  Williamson ....     '  "    Died  in  a  Rebel  Prison,  Jan.  3,  1864. 

John  Beat,  Jr "         ....     " 

Charles  Haupt "         Junel9,1863. 

Isaac  E.  Barr "         ....  July  1,   1864. 

Calvin  DeFrain "         ' 

William  C.  Moseley  ...        "         ....     " 

Gideon  Purbaugh "         Jan.  15, 1865. 

James  Heed Private Prom.  1st  Lt.  and  R.  Q.  M.,  Aug.  15,1864. 

Christopher  Wheeler  ..        "         ....         "     Asst.  Surg.,  8th  Tenn.  Cav.,  May 

Wm.  Parkhust "         22,1864. 

Orlando  L.  French "         Prom.  Q.  M.  Sergt.,  Sept.  2,  1862. 

COMPANY    B. 

John  Whallon Captain  ....  Sept.  2, 1862.  Resgd.  Feb.  22,  1863. 

Albert  M.  Gillett 1st  Leut "  "    Resgd.  Feb.  25,  1863. 

James  Bleau 2d'Lieut "  "    Killed  Oct.  8,  1862. 

Charles  R.  Richards. ..  1st  Sergt "  "    Prom.  1st  Lt.,  Apr.  29,   1863;  to  Capt.. 

June  29,  1864. 

Blisha  Bull Sergeant "  "    Prom.  2d.  Lt.,  June  4,  1863. 

James  McOearmon....        "         ....     "  "    Dischd.  Dec.  22,  1862. 

Joseph  E.  Case "         "  "    Dischd.  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Chauncey  B.  Hubbart.        "         "  "    Dischd.  March  26,  1863. 

Alonzo  Caday 1st  Corporal. .     "  "    Dischd.  Jan.  17,  1803. 

Wm.  A.  Slaymaker  ...         "         ...       "  "    Dischd.  Dec.  5, 1862. 

Chas.  A.  Sperry "         "  "    Prom.  Sergt.,   July  1,  1864;  Trans,  to 

V.  R.  C.,Feb.,  13,1865. 

Samuel  J.  Starr "         ....     "  "     Trans,  to  Invalid  Corps 

Asaph  C.  Deming '  "    Died  June  20,  1863. 

George  R.  Adams "         ....     "  "    Prom,  to  Sergt.,  July  1st,  1864. 

Alonzo  A.  Higley "         ....     "  "    Died  Oct.  15,  1862. 

Oscar  K.  Hubbard  ....        "         ....     "  "    Killed  Oct.  8,  1862. 

Samuel  H.  Eye Sergeant May  1,1863.  Prom.  1st  Sergt.,  June  4, '63. 

Milton  D.  Strunk "         ....  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Wallace  W.  Daniels. . .        "         Trans,  to  Engineer  Corps,  July  27,  1864. 

David  Hillyer "         ....Aug.  1,  1863. 

Martin  Barkman Corporal "  " 

Wallace  W.  Wilkins  ..         "          ....Julyl,   1864. 
Levi  Strunk "          "  " 

COMPANY    C. 

John  E.  Bennett Captain Aug.  9,  1862.Prom.  Lieut.  Col.,  Sept.  2,  1862. 

Ernest  Altman 1st  Lieut "  "  Prom.  Capt.,  Sept.  2,  1862;  resigned 

Feb.  1st,  1863. 

George  R.  Shaw 2d  Lieut "  "  Prom.  1st.,  Lieut.,  Sept.  2,  1862  ;  Capt. 

March  22,  1863. 

Thomas  G.  Bryant  ....  1st  Sergt Aug.  15, 1862.Prom.  2nd  Lieut.,  Mch.  22,  1863  ;  Died 

April  12,  1863. 

Henry  C.  Ranatt Sergeant "  "     Prom.  2d  Lieut.,  May  6, 1863. 

Edward  Taudemp "         "  "    Transf.  to  Invalid  Corps,  Aug.  1,  1863. 

Irving  W.  Heathen....        "         ....     "  "     Died  Feb.  22,  1863. 

Preutis  J.  Bannister. ..  "  "  "  Prom.  2d  Lieut.,  Sept.  2,1862;  to  1st 

Lieut.,  March  22,  1863. 

Samuel  Roberts Corporal "  "  Prom.  Sergt.,  Sept.  2,  1862  ;  discharged 

April  11,  1863. 

Stephen  W.  Smith "         "  "    Appointed  1st  Sergt.,  Aug.,  1864. 

Robert  D.  Talbot "         "  "     Appointed  Sergt.,  May  5,  1S63. 

James  L.  Brackat "  "  "  Appointed  1st  Sergt.,  May  5,  1863;  Ser- 

geant Major,  Aug:  4,  1864. 

JohnWeldon "         ....     "  "    Appointed  Sergt.,  Sept.  1,  1S63. 

Alfred  Pollard "          "  "     Appointed  Sergt.,  May  1,  1863. 

William  H.  Judd  .   ...        "         "  "     Transf.  to  Invalid  Corps,  Aug.  15,  1864. 


APPENDIX. 


227 


NAMES. 


DATE    OF 
COMMISSION    OB 
APPOINTMENT. 


REMAKES. 


Albert  H.  Brace Corporal  ....  Aug.  15,  lS62.Dischd.  April  20, 1364. 

L.  Edson  Bacon .      '         Sep.  2,  1862.  Transf.  to  1st  U.  S.  Engineers. 

William  M.  Lane '         ....  Feb.  22, 1S68.  Reduced  at  his  own  request.  Nov. 

LymanD.  Chase Corporal  ....  Mar.  11,1868.  Killed  at  Smyrna  camp  ground. 

Oscar  A.  Scely ....  Nov.  7,  1863.  Promoted  Sergt.,  Aug.  4. 

Burton  F.  Bosworth. ..          '         ....     " 

Charles  Lehun '         July  1,1864. 

Vi valdo  Talcott '         . . . .  Aug .  30,1864. 

George  W.  Fairbanks..          '         ....     " 

Daniel  W.  Smith ....  Dec.16,1864. 

James  Leahy "         ....     " 

George  W.  Fuller ....  Jan.  1, 1865. 

Samuel  Snyder "         " 

Charles  Redford Private Prom.  Q.  M.  Sergeant,  May  4, 1863. 

S.D.Roberts ...        "         Prom.  Drum-Major,  June  1,  1863. 

J.  M.  De  Groodt "         Prom.  Com.  Sergeant,  Nov.  1864. 

COMPANY    D. 

A.  McMoore Captain Sep.  2, 1862.  Resigned. 

J.  E.  Cobbey 1st  Lieut "  "    Resigned. 

E.  H.  Barber 2d  Lieut "  "     Resigned. 

Abner  Miller 1st  Sergt "  "    Died  Sept.  30, 1862. 

F.  A.  Caughey Sergeant "  "    Promoted  2d  Lieut.,  Jan.  2,  1863;  1st 

Lieut.,  April  IT,  1863. 

M.L.France "         "  '    Discharged. 

J.  M.  Sterns "         ....     "  "     Transf.  to  Invalid  Corps,  July  1, 1863. 

E.S.Harris "         ....     "  "    Prom.,  Dec.  15,  1862. 

George  Newton,  Sen. ..  Corporal....  "  "  Prom.,  1st  Sergt,  June  30,  1863;  dis- 

charged April  4,  1865. 

R.  L.  Mangan "  ....  "  "  Prom.  1st  Sgt.,  April  8,  1862  ;  2d  Lieut., 

April  17,  1863 ;  resgd.  Jan.  4,  1865. 

Benjamin  Cohenour ...  "  ....  "  "  Prom.  Sergt.,  June  29,  1868;  reduced 

Aug.  27,  1863. 

Henry  Me Cartey "         ....     " 

Daniel  Aument . . . .    '  ;t    Discharged  May  6, 1863. 

Enoch  Long "  ....  "  "  Color  guard  at  Perryville;  discharged 

March  7,  1863. 

J.  A.  Ballou.... "         ....     '  '    Reduced  by  Court  Martial,  Dec.,  1863. 

Daniel  Ingerham "         ....     "  "    Discharged  March  10, 1868. 

William  Emmett "         ....  Oct.  1, 1862. 

Barney  Me  Grady '         Oct.  9,      "    Discharged  March  14, 1863. 

John  Stauffes Nov.  22,    "    Promoted  1st  Sergt,  April  4, 1865. 

Joseph  C.  Journey '         ....  Jan.,     1863. 

Seth  W.  Coats '         Mar.,        "    Reduced  by  Court  Martial,  Feb.,  1864. 

John  W.  Sheaffer '          ....April,       "    Promoted  Sergt.,  Aug.  27.  1863. 

HughL.  John '        , "  "    Discharged  August  10,  1863. 

E.H.Scott '         ....     "  "    Promoted  Sergt.  June  1,  1863. 

George  Newton,  Jr....          '         ...     Aug.,        "     Reduced  Jan.  1,  1865. 

C.  R.  Steadman '         Nov.,         "    Promoted  Sergt.,  Jan.  1,  1866. 

Ezra  W.  Arey ....  Mar.,    1864.  Promoted  Sergt.,  April  4th,  1§65. 

Leonard  H.  Richards..          '         ....     " 

Thomas  Diller '         Jan.  1, 1865. 

Richard  Arey "         Feb.  1, 1865. 

Patrick  Daley "         . . . .  Apr.  4, 1865. 

COMPANY     E. 

Captain Sep.  2, 1862.  Disch.  on  acct.  of  wounds,  Jan.  23, 1865. 

1st   Lieut....  "  "  Killed  Oct.  8, 1862. 

2d  Lieut "  "  Prom.  1st  Lieut.,  Dec.  81,1862  ;   Capt., 

Jan.  81,  1865. 

1st   Sergt....  "  "  Killed  Oct.  8,  1S62. 

Sergeant '  "  Discharged  March  7,  1863. 

"         ....  "  "  Prom,  to  1st  Lieut.  Jan.  81,  1865. 

"         ....  "  "  Dlschd.  Dec.  11, '62. 

"         ....  '  '  Trans,  to  Ind.  Corps,  Sept.  1,  1863. 

Corporal  ....  "  "  Missing  since  Oct.  8,  "62. 

"         ....  "  "  Dischd.  Jan.  8,  1863. 

"         ....  "  "  Prom,  to  Sergt.  ;  dischd.  May  2,  1S63. 

"         ....  "  "  Dischd.  May  o,  1808. 


William  S.  Frost 

Franklin  H.  Eels  

James  II.  Blodgett . . . 

James  H.  Barker 

Henry  Hill,  Jr 

James  Dexter 

Cyrus  W.  Sawyer.... 
Harlow  E.  Chadwick. 
George  W.  Wheat  ... 

Oliver  A.  Wood 

Harrison  Hale 

Charles  Stewart. ... 


228 


APPENDIX. 


Aquilla  Christopher. . .  Corporal 


Wm.  H.  Sawyer 

JohnStiltz 

John  Snorer 

Geo.  T.  Fessenden 

Sylvester  8.  Nash.    . . . 
Jonathan  F.  Colwell... 

Isaac  Yocum 

George  M.  Houk 

David  D.  Myers 

August  Degner 

John  Nass 

Wm.  P.  Packard 

Myron  J.  Peterson  .... 
Norman  Jewett 


Addison  S.  Vorrey 
James  Tourtillott 
Dennis  Hannifin 
Benj.  J.  Warren 
James  Me  Cord 


Captain  .  . 
1st  Lieut.  . 
2d  Lieut.  . 
1st  Sergt. 
Sergeant  . 


DATE  OF 

COMMISSION  OR  REMARKS. 

APPOINTMENT. 
.  Sept.  2, 1862.  Prom,  to  Sergt.  Feb.  8,  1363;  dischd. 

Feb.  14, 1865. 
.     '  ;'    Dischd.  May  5, 1863. 

.    "  "    Deserted  Feb.  23,  1863. 

.  Dec.!6,  1862.  Prom.  Sergt.,  July  1,  1863. 
.  Dec.  6, 1862. 

"  "    Died  Apr.  7,  1368. 

.  Jan.l,      "    Prom.  Sergt.,  Sept.  1, 1364. 
.  Jan.  1, 1863.  Prom.  1st  Sergt.,  Feb.  17,  1865. 
.  July  1, 1864.  Prom,  to  Sergt.,  Feb.  15,  1S65. 


....April  1,1865. 
COMPANY    P. 

Sep.  2, 1S62.  Died  Aug.  13, 1354. 

"    Kesigned  Apr.  21,  1863. 
11  do     Apr.  21, 1863. 


"    Prom.  1st,  Lieut.,  Aug.  15, 1863;  Cap*. 
Apr.  1,  1865. 

John  Dolan '         ....     "  "    Dischd.  Mch.  5, '63. 

Sheppard  Reynolds "  "    Dischd.  Dec.  17,  1362. 

James  D.  Place '        '....     "  "     Commissioned  2d  Lieut.,  Aug.   15,1863. 

William  Armstrong  ...   Corporal....     "  "    Dischd.  Jan.  29,  1863. 

Emanuel  VanOsdell...          '         ....     "  "    Transfd.  to  U.  S.  Eng.Corps,  July  27,'64. 

ElishaT.  Tourtillott..          '  ...     "  "    Dischd.  Aug.  3.,  1363. 

Charles  R.  Gregory  ...          '         "  "     Transfd.  to  Invalid  Corps,  Nov.  1,  1863. 

George  W.  Niver '         ....     "  "    Prom.  Sergt.,  Aug.  22,  1863. 

Edwin  E.  Faunce '         ....     "  "    Prom.  Sergt.,  Aug.  23,  1364. 

D.B.Walker '          "  "    Dischd.  Jan.  12  1S63. 

William  Doran '         ....    "  "    Deserted  Oct.  19, 1862. 

HughCarlile ....  Au.  14, 1863. 

John  C.  Harmon ....     " 

George  R.  Loncks **         ....    "  "    Prom.  Sergt.  Aug.  23, 1864. 

Aaron O'Neil "         ....  Aug.  1,1864. 

Earnest  Warnick .        "        Sep.  1,      " 

COMPANY    G. 

Joseph  Williams .  *  Captain Sep.  2,  1862.  Resgd.  Dec.  19, 1862. 

David  Sanford 1st  Lieut....    "  "    Prom.  Capt.  May  2,  1363  ;  resgd.   June 

13,  Ib63. 
Robert  L.  Irwin 2d  Lieut "  "    Comd.  1st  Lt.  April  IS,  1S63  ;  resgd.  for 

disability,  April  29, 1863. 

Manly  E.  Brown 1st  Sergt "  "    Balled  at  Perryville. 

Charles  Twombley Sergeant "  "  do  do 

Wm.  Taylor "         ....     "  "    Died  Mch.  12,  1863. 

Wm.  Vance "         ....     "  "    Prom.  1st.  Sergt.,  Apr.,  1863;    to  2d  Lt., 

May  2,  1868;  1st  Lt.,  Apr.  11,  1864. 

Joseph  Mumma "         "  "    Transf.  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Jan.  1, 1865. 

Cornelius  Brinkerhoff. .   Corporal....     "  "  do  do  Aug.  1, 1S63. 

George  W.  Ilittle "         ....     "  "    Died  Nov.  12,  1362,  of  wound. 

Joseph  Winebranner  ..        "         ....     "  "    Dischd.  Mch.  16,  1363. 

Jonathan  Shrock "        "  "    Prom.   1st  Sergt.,  May  3, 1363  ;  dischd. 

Apr.  6,  1363. 

Walter  Gilbert "         ....'•  "    Died  Mch.  19,  1363. 

Caleb  Forbes "         "  "    Killed  at  Perryville. 

William  Shults "         "  "    Dis.  Dec.  12,  1362,  left  arm  amputated. 

James- Dysart "         "  "    Dischd.  Apr.  18,  1863  ;  died  soon  after. 

Daniel  E.  Spafford  ....  Sergeant  ....  Ap.  27, 1863.  Prom,  to  1st  Sergt.,  Apr.  6, 1364. 

Brison  Leonard "         ....  Nov.  1,      " 

Robert  L.  Irwin Captain My.  20, 1864.  His  re-enlistment  was  as  a  private. 

Samuel  Bender Corporal  ....  Nov.  1, 1363.  Prom,  to  Sergt.,  July  1, 1864. 

Geo.  W  .  Carr "         ....  July  1, 1864. 

Addison  A.  Heckart...        "        ....     "  " 


NAMES. 

John  Q  Price  

APPENDIX.                                          229 
COMPANY    H. 

DATB    OP 
BANE.         COMMISSION    OB                               REMARKS. 
APPOINTMENT. 

Captain  Sep.  2  1862.  Resigned  Feby  8  1S6-3 

J.  W.  B.  Stambaugh  .  . 
Abner  R.  Hurless  

1st  Lieut  "             "    Pro.  Capt.  Feb.  8,  1863  ;  trans,  to  Eng. 
Corps,  Feb.  1,  1865. 
2d  Lieut  "               '    Resigned  'April  22,  1863. 
letSergt  "              '    Prom.  1st  Lieut.   Mch.  22    1S63  •  Capt 

Alfred  Cantelo  

Feb.  25,  1865. 
Sergeant  "              •    Dischd.  Feb.  25  1868. 

Seth  Hawkins        

"         ....     "               '     Dischd   April  20  1S63 

"         ....     "               '    Died  of  wounds  Oct   15  1862 

"         ....     "               '    Dischd.  Aug.  5,  1863. 

Corporal....     "              '    Prom.  2d  Lieut.,  May  16,  1S63-  1st  Lt. 

Mch  1,  1865. 
"         ....     "             "    Prom.  Sergt.  Aug.  5,  1864. 

"         ....    "             "    Reduced  Oct.  8  1863 

Fred  Mitchel  

"         "             "    Prom.  Sergt.  Aug.  29,  1863 

P  L   Wolfe        .  .     .   . 

"         ....     "             "    Prom   1st  Sergt   Aug  3   1864 

"         ..."             "    Deserted,  Oct.  8  1862 

"         ..."             "     Transf.  to  Co.  A,  Sept.  25  1862. 

E.  S.    Webster  

"         ..  .     "             "    Dischd.  Feb.  20,  1863. 

1st  Sergt...  .  May  16,  1863.  Died  of  wounds,  Aug.  8  1864 

Walters.  Angell  
D.  S.  Angell  

Sergeant  .  .  .  Aug.  3,  1864. 
Corporal  Jan.  1,  1865. 

Hezekiah  Stewart      ... 

Private...     .        Apptd.  Fife  Major  July  1  1868 

Wm.  M.  Kilgour  

COMPANY    I. 
Captain  Au.  18,  1862.  Prom.  Maj.,  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Robt.  Hale    

Captain  Sep.  2,      "    Killed  at  Uuff  Station   Ga    July  4  1864 

Joel  A.  Fife  

1st  Lieut  *•             "    Trans,  to  V.  R.  Corps,  Nov.  8   1868. 

Ezeklel  J.  Kilgour  ... 

2d  Lieut  "             "    Died,  Dec.  26,  1862. 
1st  Sergt  "             "    Prom.  2d  Lt.,   Mch.  22,  1863-    Capt. 

Saml.  Orcult  

Aug.  6,  1864. 
Sergeant....    "             "    Appointed  1st  sergt.,  Mch.  22,  1868. 

Augustus  Johnson  
James  R.  Montgomery. 

"              '.    "             "    Killed  Oct.  8,  1862. 
"         «             "    Hon.  Dischd.,  Mch.  9,  1R68 

Martin  L.  Johnston  

James  H.  Woodburn.. 
James  W.  Gordon  
Lev!  Moates  

Corporal....      «            "    Appointed  Sergt.,  Mch.  1,  1868  ;  killed 
July  22,  1864. 
"         ....      «            "    Sergt.  Oct.  8,  1862.    » 
"         ....      l            "    Reduced  at  his  own  request,  Mch.  1  ,  '64. 
«»         «             ««    Appointed  Sergt.,  May  1,  1863  ;  reduc- 

Charles L.  Marcellus.. 
Alvey  Henson  

ed  Mch.  1,  1864. 
"         ....    "            "    Transf.  to  V.  R.,  Corps,  Sept.  10,  1864. 
"         ....    M             "    Dischd.  Mch.  4,  1863. 

Sylvester  Chapman  
Jacob  Rhodehamel  

Benjamin  W.  Doty  
Cornelius  C.  Gerhart.. 
Edmund  G.  Lathrops  .  . 
David  R.  Moulton  
John  Freck  

"         ....     "             "    Transferred  to  V.  R.  Corps. 
"        ....    "            "    Appointed  Sergt.,  March  1,1864;  killed 
at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864. 
"        ....  Mar.  1,  1S63.  Sergt.  July  1,  1864. 
1         ...  Feb.  1,1864. 
..  .Mar.  1,    't't    Sergt.  22,  1864. 

1               .  July  1,      " 

David  Bryson  

'         ...  July  22,     " 

Daniel  Schryver  

'         ...  Nov.  1,      " 

Lewis  E.  Chnlluck... 

Private  App.   Sergt.  Major,  Aug    20  1863'  1st 

David  M.  Roberts.   ... 
Wm.  H.  Thompson  
Isaac  L.  Hunt  

Lieut.,  Aug.  4,  1864. 
COMPANY   K. 

Captain  .     ..  Sep.  2,  1862. 
1st  Lieut.     ..     "             "    Died,  Feb.  25,  1864. 
2d  Lieut.     ..      '             "     Prom.  1st  Lieut.  July  1,  1864. 

Frank  Athert  on  

1st  Sergt     ..      '             "    Dischd.  Nov.  18,  1802. 

Berkley  G.  Barrett.  a. 
John  Kyan  

Sergeant      ..      '             "    Prom.  1st  Sergt.,  Dec.  18,  1862. 

Jonathan  N.  Hyde  .... 

«                     i             ii 

230 


APPENDIX. 


3ATE    OF 
COMMISSION    OR 
APPOINTMENT. 


REMARKS. 


James  C.  Hewlett Sergeant 

AVm.  Nettleton Corporal 

John  A.  Hunt 

James  H.  Thompson. .. 

Joshua  C.  Wills 

Walter  V.  Simons 

Stephen  A.  Tarr 

Edward  J.  Rice 

John  A.  Shondy  

De  Witt  J.  Abrams 

Wm.  M.  Atherton 

John  Dilts 

Orlando  B.  Jones 

Merritt  Nuller 

Eben  Backus 


Sept.  2, 1862.  Reduced,  cause  absence. 

'     Prom.  Sergt.,  Dee.  18,  1802. 
Dischd.  Feb.,  18. 


Prom.  Serg.,  Jan.  1, 1864. 
Dischd.  Dec.  6,  1862. 

do  do 

Prom.  Sergt.  Jan.  1,  1864.  ' 
Prom.  Sept.  1,  1864. 
Prom.  Jan.  1,  1864. 

Prom.  Jan.  1, 1864  ;  reduced  July  19,'64. 
Prom.  Jan.  1,  1864. 
Prom.  Dec.  IS,  1864. 
Prom.  Dec.  18,  1864;  Dischd.  Feb.  8; 

1865. 


KEGISTEK  OF  DEATHS. 


COMPANY  A. 

Alfred  K.  Buckaloo,  2d  Lieut,  March  14,  '64,  chronic  diarrhoea  ;  Ezra 
Cooper,  Sergt.,  Jan.  12,  '65,  diarrhoe-a  ;  Privates— "William  Stackpole,  Dec. 
20,  62,  died  in  Insane  Asylum  ;  David  Howard,  Feb.  18,  '63,  chronic  diar- 
rhoea ;  Stephen  R.  Welshons,  Feb.  26,  '63,  typhoid  fever  ;  Alexander 
Rosenbaum,  May  23,  '63,  apoplexy  while  on  picket ;  Charles  H.  Mostetter, 
Nov.  18,  '63,  chronic  diarrhoea;  John  R.  Richards,  Dec.  17,  '63,  chronic 
diarrhoea  ;  William  H.  Stewart,  Dec.  30,  '63,  chronic  diarrhoea  ;  John  A. 
Cookson,  Jan.  29,  '64,  of  wounds  received  June  16,  '64  ;  Geo.  H.  Mclntire, 
June  28,  '64,  chronic  diarrhoea ;  John  Williamson,  Corporal,  Jan.  3,  '64, 
died  in  rebel  prison  ;  Alexander  Dorn,  Private,  Sep1.  28,  '64,  died  in  rebel 
prison. 

COMPANY  B. 

Killed  in  Action — Corporal  Orson  K.  Hubbard,  Oct.  8,  '62  ;  Privates — 
Seymour  Baker,  Oct.  8,  '62;  Benjamin  Chamberlin,  Oct.  8,  62;  John  Early, 
Oct  8,  '62;  Oscar  M.  King,  Oct.  8,  '62;  Robert  Millier,  Oct.  2,  '62;  Lyman 
P.  Shaw,  Oct.  2,  '62;  Luman  Wilder,  July  20,  '64;  2d  Lieut.  James  Blean, 
Oct.  8,  '62. 

Died  of  Wounds  and  Diseases  —  Corporals — Asa  C.  Deming,  disease,  June 
20  '63;  Alonzo  A.  Higley,  wounds,  Oct.  15,  '62.  Privates— Frank  Abner, 
wounds,  Nov.  7,  '62;  Silas  C.  Bessee,  wounds,  Nov.  7,  62;  Levi  Dummer, 
disease,  Jan.  17,  '63;  Emory  M.  Deming,  wounds,  Jan.  7, '63;  David  B. 
Dumars,  wounds,  Sept.  2,  1864;  Alonzo  Gaylord,  wounds,  Oct.  14,  '62; 
Marion  A.  Holden,  disease,  Feb.  3,  '63;  Pascal  Hawley,  disease,  Aug.  20, 
'63;  Henry  Jones,  disease,  Dec.  19,  '62;  Wesley  J.  Pike,  wounds,  Oct.  15, 
'62;  John  Pringle,  disease,  Dec.  6,  '62;  Robert  K.  Thompson,  wounds,  Nov. 
5, '62;  AzariahWick,  wounds,  Sep.  20,  '64. 

COMPANY  C. 

George  W.  Oliver,  died  of  wounds,  Nov.  7,  '62;  David  P.  Perry,  rubeola, 
Jan.  2,  '63;  Warren  Young,  pneumonia,  Jan.  26,  '63;  Irving  W.  Hanshaw, 


APPENDIX,  231 

apoplexy,  Feb.  27,  '63;  Robert  Mathew,  typhoid,  April  11,  '63;  Lieutenant 
Thomas  G.  Bryant,  congestion,  April  12,  '63;  Michael  Mack,  diarrhoea, 
Sept.  16,  '63;  Wm.  Tranger,  Jr.  (unknown),  Dec.  28,  '62;  Win.  Tompkins, 
diarrhoea,  Dec.  7,  '64;  Wheeler  Pratt,  diarrhoea,  Dec.  27,  '64. 

COMPANY  D. 

1st  Sergt.  Abner  Miller,  disease,  Oct.  1,  '62;  Eugene  L.  Bessie,  typhoid, 
Nov.  8,  '62;  Harvey  Brink,  typhoid,  Nov.  22,  '<>2;  AmosMcCarty,  typhoid, 
Jan.  2,  '63;  Wm.  H.  Tracy,  typhoid,  Jan.  11,  '63;  Theodore  M.  AJdridge, 
heart,  Jan.  18,  '63;  Harvey  Mahan,  diarrhoea,  Feb.  2,  '63;  Daniel  H.  Miller, 
diarrhoea,  March  20,  '63;  John  H.  Hauver,  diarrhoea,  Nov.  18,  '63;  Jacob 
Coughenour,  wounds,  Dec.  22,  '62 ;  Azariah  Wicks,  wounds,  Sept  20,  '64. 

COMPANY   E. 

Privates — George  Kramer,  Dec.  25,  '62,  congestion  of  brain;  John  W. 
McLaiu,  Jan.  23,  '63,  rubeola  and  erysipelas;  Edward  S.  Smith,  April  27, 
'63,  not  specified  ;  Joseph  J.  Hodges,  Dec.  19,  '62,  typhoid  fever;  Corporal 
Jonathan  F.  Colwell,  April  7,  '63,  consumption;  Privates — Eugene  A.  Chad- 
wick,  Feb.  3,  '63,  not  specified;  Charles  E.  White,  Aug.  16,  '63,  chronic 
diarrhoea;  Charles  McLain,  March  18",  '64,  typhoid  fever;  Thaddeus  A. 
Spafford,  Oct.  14,  '63,  in  rebel  prison,  unknown;  Chauncey  M.  Sawyer, 
Feb.  6,  '64,  small  pox. 

COMPANY  F. 

Captain  Addison  S.  Yorrey,  erysipelas,  Aug.  13,  '64 ;  Privates — Alonzo 
E.  Allen,  disease  of  the  lungs,  Dec.,  '62;  James  Campbell,  inflammation  of 
bowels,  Feb.  9,  '63;  Geo.  P.  Nellis,  bronchitis,  Sept.  19,  '64;  John  Kelly, 
scurvy  and  dropsy,  Aug.  27,  '64;  Samuel  Shore,  congestion  of  lungs,  Feb. 
10,  '63;  John  M.  Spencer,  pneumonia,  April  17,  '65. 

COMPANY   G. 

Samuel  Piper,  Musician,  Dec.  1,  '62,  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  Privates — Wm. 
W.  Clark,  Feb.  16, '63,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  pneumonia;  Redrick  Taylor,  Jan. 
26,  '63,  bronchitis;  Joseph  Mersale,  Feb.  28,  '63,  Murfreesboro,  pneumonia; 
Sergeant  William  Taylor,  March  12,  '63,  Murfreesboro,  pneumonia;  Private 
John  Stevens,  March  17,  '63,  Murfreesboro,  pneumonia;  Corporal  Walter 
Gilbert,  March  19,  '63,  Nashville,  small  pox;  Privates — Alexander  Long, 
April  15,  '63,  Murfreesboro,  consumption;  William  Harvey,  June  12, '63, 
Murfreesboro,  brain  fever;  Irvin  W.  Thomas,  Feb.  21,  '64,  Nashville, 
small  pox;  John  Tobyne,  Springfield,  111.,  small  pox;  Wm.  A.  Andrews, 
Feb.  24,  '64,  Nashville,  inflammation  of  lungs;  Rush  Smith,  May  16,  '64,  ' 
Nashville,  pneumonia;  Paul  G.  Wetzel,  July  29,  '64,  Vinings,  Ga.,  flux; 
Alfred  H.  Yothers,  Sept.  29,  '64,  Kingston,  Ga.,  chronic  diarrhoea;  Reuben 
Rowley,  Feb.  9,  '65,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  small  pox. 

COMPANY    H. 

John  0.  Strate,  wounds,  Oct.  15,  '62;  Frank  Ford,  wounds,  Oct.  30,  '62; 
Mathew  Maiden,  Oct.  28,  '62;  James  Arnold,  disease,  date  unknown;  James 
D.  Cherry,  wounds,  date  unknown;  Milton  C.  Hicks,  disease,  Feb.  21,  '63; 
Cyrus  Walker,  disease,  Feb.  2,  '63;  David  Seitz,  disease,  March  1,  '63; 
Michael  0.  Kane, -wounds,  date  unknown;  Patrick  Mailey,  disease,  Feb.  4, 
'63;  James  Mailey,  disease,  Aug.  10,  '63;  Elijah  Douglas,  disease,  date  un- 
known; JohnYeager,  wounds,  Aug.  3,  '64. 

COMPANY   I. 

James  R.  Montgomery,  Sergeant,  Oct.  8,  '62,  killed  in  battle  of  Perryville, 
Ky. ;  Privates — Washington  J.  Williams,  Francis  E.  Brown,  John  Brubaker, 
Oct.  8,  '62,  killed  in  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky. ;  Franklin  Marcellus,  Oct.  15, 


232  APPENDIX. 

'62,  died  of  wounds  received  in  battle  of  Perry ville,  thigh  amputated; 
Almon  Baker  and  Charles  "W.  Case,  Nov.  12,  '62,  died  of  wounds  received 
in  battle  of  Perryville;  James  L.  Canfield,  Dec.  10,  '62,  disease;  Paschal 
Hawley,  Jan.  20,  '63,  measles;  Alonzo  P.  Johnston,  Jan.  26,  '63,  disease; 
John  "W.  "Wilson,  Jan.  17,  '63,  disease;  Samuel  L.  Martindale,  Feb.  12,  '63, 
John  F.  McClery,  Feb.  20,  '63,  disease;  Charles  A.  "Webb,  Feb.  5,  '63,  dis- 
ease (small  pox);  William  E.  Stroud,  April  17,  '63,  disease;  Jacob  Rhode- 
hamel,  Sergeant,  May  14,  '64,  killed  in  action,  battle  of  Resaca;  Ephraim 
"Welden,  Private,  June  2,  '64,  killed  in  action,  Kenesaw  Mt.,gun  shot; 
Martin  L.  Johnston,  Sergeant,  Jnly  22,  '64,  killed  on  skirmish  line  by 
shell  from  our  own  battery;  Privates — William  Hampston,  Sept.  2,  '64, 
killed  in  action  at  battle  of  Lovejoy's  Station,  (shell);  Gilbert  W.  Jen- 
nings, Dec.  16,  '64,  killed  in  action  battle  of  Nashville  (gun  shot);  Sylvester 
Chapman,  Dec.  16,  '64,  killed  in  action  battle  of  Nashville  (shell);  Ezekiel 
L  Kilgour,  2d  Lieut.,  Dec.  25,  '62,  died  of  disease  (consumption);  Robert 
Hale,  Captain,  July  4th,  '64,  killed  in  action  at  Gulp's  Farm,  Ga.,  while  on 
duty  as  brig,  officer  of  the  day  ;  John  Early,  Oct.  8,  '62,  killed  at  Perryville. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wm.  H.  Thompson,  1st  Lieut.,  consumption,  Feb.  25,  '64;  Joseph  Miller, 
wounds,  Nov.  2,  '62;  Benjamin  Kipp,  heart  disease,  Dec.  17,  '62;  Wm.  G. 
Dean,  wounds,  Nov.  '62;  Silas  Pringle,  wounds,  Nov.  '62;  Jacob  D.  Fuller, 
disease,  Nov.,  '62;  Wm.  D.  Baisley,  rubeola,  Jan.  18,  '63;  Fletcher  Bickery, 
typhoid,  Aug.  18,  '63;  George  Dormey,  wounds,  June  30,  '64. 


RECORD  OF  CASUALTIES 

IN  THE  SEVERAL    ENGAGEMENTS   DURING   THREE    YEARS  OF  SERVICE. 


Battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  Oct.  8,  1862. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Wounded — Major  William  M.  Kilgour. 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Privates  Jos.  B.  Crawford  and  John  R.  Richards. 

COMPANY  B. 

Killed — Lieut.  James  Blean ;  Corporal  Orson  K.  Hubbard ; 
Privates  Seymour  Baker,  Benjamin  Chamberlain,  John  Early,  O. 
M.  King,  Robert  Millier,  L.  P.  Shaw.  Wounded — Captain  John 
"Whallen  ;  Sergeants  J.  McDearman  and  J.  E.  Case  ;  Corporals 
Alonzo  A.  Higley,  Frank  Abner,  W.  A.  Slaymaker,  and  G.  R. 
Adams  ;  Privates  Silas  C.  Bessee,  A.  Gaylord,  W.  J.  Pike,  R. 
K.  Thompson,  Benj.  F.  Bessee,  David  B.  Dumars,  David  Hous- 
ton, J.  C.  Hears,  P.  O'Hara,  James  Scott,  Thomas  McDonald, 
John  Pendleton,  Thomas  Brown,  John  Bacon,  Henry  Ege,  E.  J. 
Garrison,  and  Henry  Jones. 


APPENDIX.  233 

COMPANY  C. 

Killed — Privates  Nathan  Myers,  William  Grunderman,  and 
George  S.  Millins.  Wounded — Sergeant  I.  "W.  Hanshaw  ;  Pri- 
vates Edward  Cleveland,  G.  W.  Oliver,  A.  A.  Cass,  S.  C.  Early, 
J.  S.  Gillett,  Seymour  Harrison,  Henry  Leonard,  Thomas  Mason, 
G.  W.  Oliver,  H.  P.  Fistner,  Peter  Root,  Miles  F.  Wooley. 

COMPANY  D. 

Killed  —  Privates  Henry  Bowman  and  F.  P.  Meservey. 
Wounded — Lieut.  E.  H.  Barber  ;  Sergeant  M.  L.  France  ;  Cor- 
poral Enoch  Long ;  Privates  J.  Coughenour,  R.  Goshen,  H. 
Kramer,  I.  Stater,  Wm.  "Wiggins,  and  N.  W.  Darrow. 

COMPANY  E. 

Killed — Lieut.  F.  H.  Eels  ;  Sergeant  J.  L.  Barker  ;  Privates 

J.  Akin,  Ole  C.  B ,  A.  M.  Gage,  E.  McKune,  J.  "Wolcott, 

S.  J.  Yeast.  Wounded — Captain  W.  S.  Frost ;  Lieut.  James 
H.  Blodgett ;  Sergeants  James  Dexter,  C.  W.  Sawyer  ;  Corpo- 
rals 0.  I.  "Wood.  H.  Hale,  J.  Snover  ;  Privates  Wm.  Hickland, 
G.  H.  Barker,  E.  Fisher,  W.  Hannon,  S.  Johnson,  D.  B.  Long, 
P.  K.  Mittan,  C.  Maes,  N.  Montgomery,  M.  J.  Peterson,  and 
Francis  Tracy. 

COMPANY  F. 

Wounded — Sergeant  S.  Reynolds  ;  Corporals  C.  R.  Gregory, 
D.  B.  Walker  ;  Privates  J.  B.  Ayres,  F.  D.  Brown,  Dennis 
Finn,  P.  Honan,  W.  F.  Loucks,  Charles  Lambert,  and  Samuel 
Stewart. 

COMPANY  a. 

Killed — Sergeant  M.  E.  Brown  ;  Corporal  C.  Forbes  ;  Pri- 
vates Rathburn  Ely,  H.  Frost,  Tubal  Keen,  A.  McNeal,  A. 
Weaver,  J.  W.  Warner,  Marion  Wade.  Wounded — Lieut.  Rob- 
ert L.  Irwin  ;  Sergeant  C.  Twombley  ;  Corporal  George  Hittle  ; 
Privates  Isaac  Wisler,  Eben  Fish,  O.  Atwood,  George  Cable, 
Wm.  Clark,  C.  Chromstar,  J.  Davis,  P.  Garrison,  L.  Hillery,  A. 
A.  Hechert,  C.  Powers,  J.  Sturdevant,  I.  Thomas,  J.  Taylor, 
A.  N.  Timothy,  and  Oswald  Wetzel. 

COMPANY  H. 

Killed— Privates  M.  Heizer,  C.  Hollicher,  H.  Sheridan,  T.  O. 
Taylor,  D.  B.  Ustick,  and  George  Williams.  Wounded — Ser- 
geant J.  0.  Strate  ;  Corporal  E.  Webster  ;  Privates  F.  Ford,  M. 
Maiden,  J.  D.  Cherry,  J.  Hauprich,  J.  Morehead,  H.  Pickle,  D. 
Steele,  P.  Hoffman,  A.  Johnson,  D.  Bruce,  Benjamin  Corbin,  R. 
Chappel,  M.  0.  Kane,  E.  Landis,  P.  Mailey,  and  John  Yeager. 

COMPANY   I. 

Killed — Sergeant  James  R.  Montgomery  ;  Privates  W.  F. 
Williams,  F.  E.  Brown,  J.  Brubaker,  John  Early.  Wounded — 


234  APPENDIX. 

Sergeant  E.  "W.  Lyman  ;  Privates  F.  Marcellus,  A.  Baker,  Chas. 
"W.  Case,  A.  McKenzie,  C.  W.  Freeman,  E.  D.  Welden,  J. 
Crane,  and  S.  L.  Martindale. 

COMPANY  K. 

Killed — Privates  Z.  Atherton  and  Geo.  Brittain.  Wounded — 
Captain  D.  M.  Roberts  ;  Lieut.  "W".  H.  Thompson  ;  Sergeants 
F.  Atherton,  J.  N.  Hyde  ;  Corporals  J.  C.  Wills,  S.  A.  Farr,  J. 
A.  Shoudy,  E.  J.  Rice  ;  Privates  J.  L.  Baisley,  G.  Beemer,  W. 
A.  Conant,  W.  H.  Christie,  F.  M.  Case,  W.  Y.  Dean,  F.  Dor- 
moy,  George  Dormoy,  C.  H.  Golding,  E.  E.  Hallenbeck,  George 
Hallenbeck,  N.  Halleck,  H.  Henrie,  J.  Miller,  T.  Spencer,  Joseph 
Miller,  H.  Merwin,  J.  N.  Steen,  S.  Pringle,  B.  F.  Radley,  C. 
Sutton,  and  Franklin  Harkins. 

In  a  slight  skirmish  near  Lancaster,  Ky.,  October  14,  1862, 
Captain  E.  A.  Altaian,  of  Company  C,  was  severely  wounded — 
the  only  one  in  the  regiment. 


Battle  of  Stone  River,  from,  Dec.  26th,  1862,  to  Jan.  6th,  1863. 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Private  A.  J.  Collins. 

COMPANY  B. 

Wounded — Sergeant  C.  B.  Hubbard. 

COMPANY  C. 

Killed — Private  Washington  L.  Woods.      Wounded — Privates 
H.  M.  Bunn,  and  G.  W.  Fuller. 

COMPANY  D. 

. 

Wounded — Private  Aurand  Aurans. 

COMPANY  E. 

Wounded — Lieutenant  James  H.  Blodgett. 

COMPANY  F. 

Wounded — Corporal  E.  T.  Tourtillott ;  Private  Samuel  Shore. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Privates  John  Kizer,  E.  J.  Larry. 

COMPANY  H. 

Wounded — Private  James  Morehead. 

COMPANY  I. 

Wounded — Captain  Robert  Hale  ;  Privates  0.  Orcutt,  J.  Col- 
lins, W.  Hampton,  and  August  .Quade. 

Company  K,  none. 


APPENDIX.  235 

During  this  battle,  21  officers  and  men  were  captured. 
During  the  campaign  of  Chickamauga  the  Seventy-fifth  Illi- 
nois lost,  in  prisoners,  8  men. 


Jieconnotssancc  before  Dalton,  February  23d  to  28th,  1864. 

FIELD    AND    STAFF. 

Wounded — Major  James  A.  Watson. 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Privates  T.  S.  Caffrey,  and  Nicholas  Mossholder. 

COMPANY  c. 
Wounded — Privates  0.  A.  Seely,  and  Daniel  W.  Smith. 

COMPANY  H. 
Wounded — Sergeant  M.  F.  Wolf. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wounded — Corporal  James  H.  Thompson. 

Battles  around  Besaca,  Ga.,  May  9th  to  16th,  1864. 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Private  Thomas  Wood. 

COMPANY  I. 

Wounded — Private  Norman  Brooks. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wounded — Corporal  0.  B.  Jones  ;  Private  J.  Turk. 


Battles  around  Cassvillc  and  Dallas,  May  19th  to  27th,  1864. 

COMPANY  D. 
Wounded — Private  Elisha  Drew. 

•    COMPANY  E. 

Wounded — Sergeant  A.  S.  Christopher. 


Battles  around  Dallas,  June  1st  to  5th,  1864. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed — Private  Owen  Doudel. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Private  George  Fill. 


236  .  APPENDIX. 

COMPANY  I. 

Wounded — Private  L.  E.  Matthews. 


Pine  Mountain,  June  13th  to  18th,  1864.  ^ 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Private  J.  N.  Cookson. 

COMPANY  K.  x 

Wounded — Privates  Fred.  Dormoy,  and  A.  E.  Fuller. 


Battles  around,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  19th  to  July  1st,  1864, 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Sergeant  Lewis  H.  Burkitt ;  Corporal  "W.  A.  How- 
land  ;  Privates  J.  B.  Crawford,  A.  Zimmer,  Calvin  DeFrain,  and 
J.  L.  Backus. 

COMPANY  B. 

Wounded — Private  John  Pendleton. 

COMPANY  D. 

Wounded — Lieutenant  R.  L.  Mangum. 

COMPANY  F. 

Wounded—  Private  John  Kelley. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Private  Charles  C.  Bowers. 

COMPANY  H. 

"'  Killed — Privates  D.  L.  Pierce,  and  Joseph  Hauprich.  Wound- 
ed— Sergeant.  John  Yeager  ;  'Privates  Charles  Fox,  and  Jacob 
Funt. 

COMPANY  I. 

Wounded — Private  Justis  M.  Reynolds. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wounded — Private  George  Dormoy. 

Battle  of  Gulp's  Farm,  Rough  Station,  or  Smyrna  Camp  Ground,      .3 
July  3rd  and  4th,  1864. 

COMPANY  C. 

Killed — Corporal  Lyman  D.  Chase. 

COMPANY  F. 

Wounded — Privates  Aaron  O'Neal,  Daniel  Burns,  and  Joseph 
Carr. 

\ 


APPENDIX.  237 

COMPANY  H. 

Wounded — Private  Dennis  Fletcher. 

COMPANY   I. 

Killed — Captain   Robert   Hale.      Wounded — Private   Charles 
W.  Freeman. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wounded — Sergeant  J.  N.  Hyde  ;    Corporal   G.  W.  Newton  ; 
Privates  A.  Wick  and  Silas  Richardson. 


Chaicahoochlc  Heights,  July  9,  1864. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Private  Charles  S.  Brunson. 


Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  19th  to  X2d,  1864. 

COMPANY  I. 

Wounded — Private  Richard  Trye. 

COMPANY  K.  f 

Wounded — Private  Marcus  S.  Plant. 


Before  Atlanta,  from  July  23d  to  August  28th,  1864. 

COMPANY  B. 

Wounded — Private  Jacob  Howe,  Aug.  15. 

COMPANY  E. 

Wounded — Captain  Win.   S.  Frost,  July  23  ;  Private  Fred. 
Schleicht,  Aug.  15. 

COMPANY  P. 

Wounded — Corporal  Hugh  Carlile,  Aug.  22. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Private  Charles  C.  Bowers,  Aug.  19. 

COMPANY  H. 

Wounded — Private  Stephen  Thompson,  Aug.  12. 

COMPANY  K. 

Wounded — Private  Ira  M.  Baker,  July  23. 


Station,  September  2d,  1864. 

COMPANY  A. 

Wounded — Privates  Joseph  Gruver,  and  Gideon  Purbaugh. 


238  APPENDIX. 

COMPANY  0. 

Wounded — Private  "William  P.  Squires. 

COMPANY  E. 

Wounded — Lieut.   James    H.   Blodgett ;    Corporal  David  D. 
Myers. 

COMPANY  F. 

Killed — Private  John  Murphy. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Sergeant  A.  J.  Timothy. 

COMPANY  K. 

Killed — Private  Francis  Mills.      Wounded — Privates  John  E. 
Ayler,  Henry  Pott,  and  Charles  Hewitt. 


Columbia,  Tenn.,  November  25, 1864. 

Wounded — Corporal  W.  P.  Packard. 


Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  15  and  16, 1864. 

COMPANY  C. 

Wounded— Lieut.  Henry  Parrott  ;    Privates   Byron  Willilon, 
and  H.  E.  Talcott. 

COMPANY  F. 

Wounded — Private  Thomas  Haley. 

COMPANY  G. 

Wounded — Lieut.  Robert  L.  Irwin  ;  Private  Frank  Whalen. 


EEGISTER  OF  DESERTERS. 


Company  A — Corpl.  Edwin  J.  Jones,  Oct.  3rd,  1862;  Joseph 
Cromwell,  Oct.  3rd,  1862;  Willis  Fredenburg,  Oct.  3rd,  1862; 
Proctor  D.  Oaks,  Oct.  3rd,  1862. 

Company  B — Daniel  S.  Baker,  Nov.,  1862 ;  Levi  J.  Clark, 
Oct.  4th,  1862;  Daniel  Houston,  Oct.,  1862;  Gaylord  M.  Jen- 
nings, June,  1863. 

Company  C — Albert  Barber,  Aug.   20th,  1862  ;  Wm.  Barber, 


APPENDIX.  239 

Aug.  20th,  1862;  Leonard  Pratt,  Oct.  27th,  1862;  Joseph  W. 
Bump,  Jan.  1st,  1863. 

Company  D — Dunlant  Murry,  Oct.  6th,  1862 ;  James  H. 
Stewart,  October  6th,  1862;  Benjamin  Coughenour,  May,  1863. 

Company  E — Corpl.  John  Snover,  Feb.  23rd,  1863;  Wm. 
Beaton,  Dixon,  111.,  Sept.  26th,  1862;  Alexander  Long,  in  the 
field,  Nov.  30th,  1862  ;  Elias  Fisher,  Louisville,  Ky.,  Dec.  23rd, 
1862;  John  Grunert,  enlisted  in  17th  Illinois  Cavalry  while  ex- 
changed prisoner  from  Perryville;  Dennis  Carrol,  Stone  Eiver, 
Dec.  30th,  1862. 

Company  F — Corpl.  ~Wm.  Doran,  Oct.  19th,  1862;  James 
O'Garr,  Sept.  27th,  1862;  Edwin  Crimmins,  Sept.  27th,  1862; 
"Wm.  H.  Stewart,  Oct.  19th,  1862;  James  H.  Stewart,  Oct. 
19th,  1862  ;  Cornelius  McFadden,  Oct.  19th,  1862  ;  Patrick  Hol- 
land, Dec.  10th,  1862;  Benj.  F.  Cammon,  Jan.  8th,  1863; 
Phillip  McCormick,  Feb.  10th,  1864. 

Company    G — Daniel   E.    Sheaslain,   in   the  field,  Dec.    10th, 

1862  ;.  Eugene  Sullivan,  in  the  field,  Dec.  10th,  1862;  Morgan 
"Williams,  in  the  field,  Dec.    10th,   1862;  John  Berneter,  Oct., 
1861,  from  Louisville,  Ky.,  paroled  prisoner  ;  Peter  Sower,  Oct. 
27th,  1864,  from  hospital,  Jeffersonville,  Ind. 

Company  H — Jacob  D.  Echelberger,  Oct.  5th,  1862;  Newton 
Brown,  Oct.  4th,  1862;  Joseph  Maiden,  Oct.  8th,  1862;  David 
A.  McBride,  Jan.  20th,  1863;  George  H.  Benham,  Jan.  15th, 

1863  ;    Simon  Eeynear,  Sept.   1st,  1863  ;    Augustus  0.   Clark, 
April  30th,  1864. 

Company  I — August  Quade,  June  1st,  1863. 

Company  K — J.  Poindexter,  Sept.,  1862  ;  Frank  Harkins, 
Feb.  22d,  1863;  James  Hall,  Oct.  26th,  1862;  Menzo  Coffin, 
Dec.  4th,  1862. 


240 


APPENDIX. 


OFFICERS. 

1 

a 

a 
*s 
2 

• 

G 

d 

K 

T3 

§ 

.2 

1 

o 

» 

1 

•S 

i 

»* 

1 

H 

£ 

•e 

1 
o 

« 
& 

£ 

M 

<! 
O 

d 

-1 
Ei 
O 

H 

•d 

_0j 

2 

•3 

c 

1 

o 

t3 
V 

s 

0 

§ 
1 

S 
•s 

•a 
S 

•B 
1 
I 

8 

EH 

•o 

i 

•So 
1 

•B 

1 
1 

S 

•d 

'3 

S 

to 
H 
02 
03 
O 
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J  •• 
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H 
O 
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I 
S 
*5 

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a 
.g 

m 

£ 

£ 

o 
!5  ' 

& 

g 

O 

2; 

£ 

Field  and  Staff  

8 

4 

12 

... 

1 

5 

6 

6 

Non-com'  d  Staff  .  . 

Company  A  

3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 

2 
2 
3 
2 
.2 
2 
2 
2 
2 

5 
5 
6 
B 

'i' 

... 

1 

1 

1 

9, 

3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
1 

2 
2 
3 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 

B  

c  

... 

1 

1 

1 

2 

D  

1 
9 

'E 

5 
5 

5 

i 

F  

... 

1 

... 

2 
3 

G  

H 

5 

1- 

1 

2 

I 

5 
3 

i 

1 

1 

K  

... 

... 

TOTAL   

38 

23 

61 

3 

5 

5 

18 

3 

34 

27 

This  Tabular  Statement  is  verified  by 


THE    SEVENTY-FIFTH   ILLINOIS. 


241 


CHANGES  IN  THE  SEVENTY-FIFTH  ILLINOIS  VOLS,, 

THE  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

ENLISTED    MEN. 


S3 

b 

to 

B 

i 

g 

00 

•55 

sJ 

•O 

1 

EH 

a 

3 

i 

0} 

S' 

O 

1 

3 

"2 

M 

i 

• 
s 

1 

•a 

1 

13 

S 

•o 

E 

GQ 

9 

ca 

ii 

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1 

"a! 

O 

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JS 

•a 

<— 

o 
•o 

at 
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i 

1 

f 

S 

ts 

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0 

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EH 

S 

1 
O 

1 

s 

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3 

EH 

0 

q 

ft 

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1  - 

1 

o 

fc 

d 

O 
EH 

as 

IB 

fe 

u 

A 

S5 

x 

» 

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EH 

35 

4 

6 

10 

2 

2 

4 

6 

89 

'S' 

92 

1 

11 

48 

10 

4 

5 

49 

43 

80 

2 

82 

"B 

8 

5 

16 

16 

2 

.... 

4 

59 

23 

98 

20 

.... 

118 

4 

2 

8 

26 

41 

3 

4 

88 

30 

91 

9 

100 

2 

2 

10 

32 

12 

2 

.  .  .  . 

3 

63 

37 

87 

13 

100 

7 

3 

10 

21 

20 

2 

I 

6 

70 

30 

61 

4 

65 

2 

1 

6 

16 

6 

2 

8 

40 

25 

87 

32 

119 

14 

3 

14 

18 

42 

2 

.  .  .  . 

5 

98 

21 

85 

85 

8 

6 

7 

17 

16 

2 

7 

63 

22 

88 

7 

6 

101 

12 

1 

11 

28 

17 

1 

.... 

1 

71 

30 

84 

12 

96 

4 

4 

4 

24 

18 

4 

58 

38 

854 

102 

12 

968 

61 

31 

86 

216 

200 

22 

1 

47 

663 

305 

Regimental  and  Company  Records. 


ERRATA. 

On  Page  44,  line  19,  in  place  of  "  right,"  say  "  left." 

On  Page  68,  line  19.  After  the  name,  "  Geo.  G-.  Messer,"  add,  "and 
Privates  Joseph  Watson  and  John  Catnaugh." 

On  Page  72,  line  first,  "  Gibbons"  should  be  "  Gibson's." 

On  Page  117,  line  17.  After  the  name,  "  George  G.  Messer,"  add,  "and 
Corporal  "W.  A.  Howland  ;"  and  in  place  of  "a  most  trusty  soldier,"  read 
"trusty  soldiers." 

Page  139,  2d  line.  "One  company"  should  read  "  one  wing,"  as  one- 
half  of  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  the  movement. 

Page  163,  line  12.     For  "Johnson,"  read  "Johnston." 

The  name  of  Colonel  Kilgour  is  misspelled  "  Kilgore,"  throughout  the 
book. 

Page  207.  The  copy  of  the  Farewell  Address  given  me  contains  only 
the  names  of  three  staff  officers.  The  original  one  was  signed  by  all.  I 
regret  I  do  not  remember  the  names  of  the  Act;  Asst.  Quartermaster,  Asst. 
Com;  Subsistence,  and  the  Junior  Act.  Aid-de-Camp. 

Page  91,  line  10.  I  am  informed  that  Lieutenant  Colonel  Kilgour  was  in 
command  the  entire  time  of  the  march  to  Chattanooga.  Colonel  Post's  re- 
port states  that  Colonel  Bennett  assumed  command  at  this  time.  Probably 
it  is  incorrect. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

973.74IL6I75D  C001 

A  WAIF  OF  THE  WAR;  OR,  THE  HISTORY  OF  TH 


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30112025371185 


